Measure how quickly a product is selling compared with how much you bought. Enter units received (and any beginning stock), units sold and the length of the period to get the sell-through rate, weekly sell-through, rate of sale, weeks of supply left and how many more units you need to sell to hit a target.
Last updated:
Sell-through based on
Retail buyers usually use units received; include beginning stock for carried-over items.
units
Units in stock at the start of the period.
units
units
Net of returns.
weeks
4.33 weeks ≈ 1 month, 13 weeks = 1 quarter.
%
$
Values the stock still on hand.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Sell-Through Rate Calculator
Choose the basis: units received, or beginning stock plus units received.
Enter inventory: beginning units on hand (if any) and units received in the period.
Enter units sold net of returns and the length of the period in weeks.
Optionally add a target sell-through and unit cost.
Read sell-through and weeks of supply, then check the week-by-week projection.
Sell-through formulas
Sell-through rate = units sold ÷ units received × 100
Sell-through on units available = units sold ÷ (beginning on hand + units received) × 100
Average weekly sell-through = sell-through rate ÷ number of weeks
Rate of sale = units sold ÷ number of weeks
Weeks of supply = units on hand ÷ rate of sale
Example (default values): 1,200 units received and 780 sold over 8 weeks is a 65% sell-through, about 8.1% a week. The rate of sale is 97.5 units a week, so the 420 units left are about 4.3 weeks of supply. Reaching an 80% target needs 180 more units, roughly 1.8 more weeks at the current pace.
Reading sell-through with weeks of supply
Sell-through vs. plan
Weeks of supply
Usual reading
Typical action
Ahead of plan
Low
Selling fast, risk of stock-outs
Reorder or move stock in from slower stores
On plan
In line with lead time
Healthy
Keep monitoring weekly
Behind plan
High
Over-bought or under-performing
Promote, reposition, mark down, cancel open orders
Behind plan
Low
Bought too little to judge, or broken sizes
Check size and color availability
Tips
Compare like periods. A 30% sell-through after two weeks can be great while the same figure after twelve weeks is a problem.
Use the right basis. For new deliveries use units received; for items carried over from a previous period include beginning stock, or old inventory can make the rate exceed 100%.
Track by size and color. A strong total can hide sizes that sold out early and others that will need a markdown.
Combine with margin. A high sell-through achieved through deep discounts may still earn little; check GMROI as well.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sell-through rate formula?
Sell-through rate = units sold ÷ units received × 100. If a store received 1,200 units and sold 780 in the period, the sell-through rate is 65%. Some retailers divide by beginning inventory plus units received instead, which includes stock carried over from before.
What is weekly sell-through?
Weekly sell-through shows the pace of selling. This calculator uses the average: the period's sell-through divided by the number of weeks, so 65% over 8 weeks is about 8.1% a week. Some planners instead measure each week's sales against the stock on hand at the start of that week.
How do you calculate weeks of supply?
Weeks of supply = units on hand ÷ average units sold per week. With 420 units left and a rate of sale of 97.5 units a week, there are about 4.3 weeks of supply.
What is a good sell-through rate?
It depends on the product and the time frame. Seasonal and fashion items are often planned to reach a high sell-through, such as 70% to 85% by the end of the season, while basics that are reordered continuously can run lower. Compare against your own plan for that point in the season.
Is sell-through the same as inventory turnover?
No. Sell-through is a percentage of units bought that have sold, usually for one product or delivery over a short period. Inventory turnover measures how many times the average inventory value is sold and replaced over a year, using cost of goods sold.
Should returns be subtracted from units sold?
Yes. Use net units sold (sales minus customer returns that went back into stock); otherwise the sell-through rate overstates how much has really sold.
What should I do with a low sell-through rate?
Look for the cause first: price, placement, sizes or colors, or simply over-buying. Options include better merchandising, promotions, markdowns, moving stock to better-selling locations and buying smaller quantities next time.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.