How it works
The reorder point is the stock level that should trigger your next order. Order when you hit it, and the new delivery should arrive just as you're getting low, with a small cushion left for surprises.
Example. You sell 12 units a day, and it takes 5 days from placing an order to having product on the shelf. That's 60 units used while you wait.
Add 2 days of safety stock (24 units), and your reorder point is 84 units.
If you order once a week, each order should cover 7 days of sales, which is also 84 units.
Picking your safety stock
Safety stock covers the days when sales run hot or the truck runs late. More safety stock means fewer outs, but more cash on the shelf. Items that sell unpredictably, or that you can't afford to be out of, deserve more. Steady sellers on a reliable delivery can get by with less.
A simple way to start is to look at your busiest recent week. If you sold well above your average, add enough safety days to cover that gap.
Lead time is longer than you think
Count from the moment the order is placed to the moment product is stocked and sellable, not just to when the delivery arrives. If orders go in on Monday, deliveries come Thursday and get put away Friday, your lead time is 4 days, not 3.
Common questions
- Where do I get units sold per day?
- Divide recent sales by the number of days. The sell-through calculator gives you a weekly pace that you can divide by 7.
- Do I need to round?
- The calculator rounds up to whole units, since running one short is worse than having one extra. You may also need to round orders up to a full case.
Last updated October 11, 2026.