Throughput is the actual production rate — good units produced per hour. It’s the bottom-line output number, and dividing target by throughput tells you the hours a run will take.
The example
1,200 units in 8 hours.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 1200 / 8 | — |
| 3 | Throughput | → 150/hr |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Divide good units by hours run for the throughput rate.
- Use good units (not gross) so scrap doesn’t flatter the number.
- Flip it to plan a run:
target_units / throughput= hours needed. - Compare to ideal rate (3600 ÷ ideal cycle) to see the performance gap.
Actual vs ideal throughput is the performance gap. Ideal throughput from the cycle time (3600 / ideal_cycle_sec per hour) is what the line could do; actual throughput is what it did. The ratio is the performance factor in OEE. Tracking both shows whether a shortfall is speed loss (slow cycles, minor stops) versus downtime or scrap.
Try it: interactive demo
Units produced and hours run.
Variations
Hours for a target
Plan the run:
Ideal rate
From cycle:
Performance %
Actual vs ideal:
Pitfalls & errors
Good units only. Use yielded output, not gross, for honest throughput.
Run time, not clock time. Use actual run hours, excluding downtime, where relevant.
Zero hours. No run time gives #DIV/0!.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate throughput in Excel?
How many hours will a run take?
How do I compare to the ideal rate?
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