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Inventory

Inventory coverage

Inventory coverage shows how long available stock will last at the expected demand rate.

Also known as

Days on hand · Stock cover

Direct answer

What is Inventory coverage?

Inventory coverage shows how long available stock will last at the expected demand rate. It makes overstock and impending stockouts comparable. A forward-looking calculation is more useful than one based only on historic averages.

Formula

Inventory coverage = available inventory ÷ forecast daily demand

Practical example

1,200 available units at a forecast of 40 units per day equal 30 days of cover.

What teams should remember

Inventory coverage shows how long available stock will last at the expected demand rate.

It makes overstock and impending stockouts comparable. A forward-looking calculation is more useful than one based only on historic averages.