Takt time calculator
How much time you may spend per unit to keep up with demand.
Fill in the fields and the result will appear here automatically.
Takt is set by the customer, not by the line: available shift time divided by the units that shift has to ship. The actual cycle time is then compared against it — and if it is larger, the cell cannot keep up however "fast" it feels. That is why a utilisation above one hundred per cent means a shortfall rather than overtime: you must cut the cycle or add parallel stations.
How it works
Formula and logic
Takt = net available minutes T ÷ demand D. Required units per hour = 60/takt. For a known positive cycle C, takt utilisation = C/takt × 100% and average possible output = T/C. D is a whole count of at least 1. C=0 means unknown cycle: comparison and capacity rows are omitted while takt remains available. Capacity assumes constant cycle without extra downtime and is not a guaranteed whole output count.
Example
A 480-minute shift for 120 units gives a 4-minute takt; an actual 3.5 minutes is 87.5 % utilisation. With 480 minutes, demand 120 and unknown cycle 0, takt remains 4 minutes and capacity is omitted.
Fields and units
- Available time per shift, min — min
- Demand per shift, units — unitless
- Actual cycle time, min — min
How to use
- — Available time means net working time: subtract breaks, shift handovers and planned stops first.
- — Take demand for the same shift the available time covers, or the takt is meaningless.
- — Actual cycle time is the average time per unit the cell currently achieves.
- — Utilisation above one hundred per cent means a shortfall, not overtime.
- — If actual cycle is unknown, enter 0 to get takt without an invented output estimate. Fractional capacity is an estimate, not a shipping commitment.
Method and limitations
- Calculation method
- Formula and logic
- Data or methodology source
- Lean Enterprise Institute: takt as available time divided by demand
- Limitation
- One sequential line, net time and constant cycle. Not a parallel-capacity model or a guarantee of whole completed output.
FAQ
How does takt differ from cycle time?
Takt is the customer's requirement, cycle time is the cell's ability. Takt cannot be "improved": it only moves with demand or shift length. What you improve is the cycle, pulling it under the takt.
What if the cycle exceeds the takt?
Three routes: shorten the cycle, add a parallel station, or extend the available time. The calculation shows how large the shortfall is, which tells you whether one measure will do.
Should I plan in a margin?
A reserve can account for cycle variation, failures and losses, but its size depends on the process and measurements. There is no universal 85–95% takt target. Parallel stations and mixed products need a more detailed capacity model.
Is changeover time included?
Only if you subtracted it from the available time. Takt is computed from net working time — changeovers, cleaning and planned maintenance should not be in it.