---
title: Pick Error Rate – Definition, Calculation & Benchmarks
description: The picking error rate measures the percentage of incorrectly picked items in the warehouse process.
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# Pick Error Rate

## What is the Pick Error Rate?

**Pick error rate** measures the proportion of incorrectly picked items in the warehouse process. It is a key quality KPI at the **line-item level** and serves as an early indicator of issues in [picking](https://bitergo.com/en/glossary/order-picking).

 

### How is the Pick Error Rate calculated?

**Formula:**

(Incorrect picks ÷ total number of picks) × 100

 

### Example

10,000 picks per day  
of which 50 are incorrect

→ Pick error rate = **0.5%**

 

### Benchmarks

- **< 0.5%** → very good
- **0.5–1%** → acceptable
- **> 1%** → critical

 

### Practical Significance

Even small error rates can have major impacts:

- increasing returns
- higher costs
- declining customer satisfaction

👉 The pick error rate directly impacts [order accuracy](https://bitergo.com/en/glossary/order-accuracy).

### Typical Causes of Errors

- visually similar items
- poor storage location labeling
- missing scans
- time pressure during picking
- unclear processes

### How can the Pick Error Rate be reduced?

1. Introduce mandatory scanning

[Barcode](https://bitergo.com/en/glossary/barcode) scans for every pick

2. Use pick-by technologies

- pick-by-light
- pick-by-voice

3. Optimize warehouse layout

Avoid placing similar items next to each other

4. Train employees

Clear standards and processes

 

### Typical Mistakes in Interpretation

👉 A low pick error rate can be misleading if:

- errors are not recorded
- returns are not correctly attributed

 

### Relation to other KPIs

- order accuracy
- return rate
- [picking performance](https://bitergo.com/en/glossary/picking-performance)

 

### Practical Example

A company introduces mandatory scanning:

- before: 1.2%
- after implementation: 0.4%

→ significant quality improvement

 

### ❓ FAQ

### What is the difference from order accuracy?

- Picking error rate → Order level
- Order accuracy → Order level

### How often should I measure?

Daily or in real time in the [Warehouse Management System (WMS)](https://bitergo.com/en/glossary/warehouse-management-system-wms). 

### Conclusion

The pick error rate is one of the most important quality KPIs in the warehouse and a key lever for reducing error-related costs.

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