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    pick density calculator

    Pick density calculator

    Estimate total picking hours based on orders, SKUs per order, and pick speed.

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    Summary

    • Calculates labor hours needed for picking
    • Uses SKUs per order and pick speed
    • Useful for staffing and wave planning
    • Helps compare layouts or process changes

    Definitions

    Pick speed
    How many SKUs/items a picker can pick per hour.
    SKUs per order
    Average number of items per order.
    Pick density
    Total pick workload per wave or shift.
    Drag to adjust
    Drag to adjust
    Drag to adjust
    Drag to adjust
    Estimated pick hours
    13.3 hrs
    Total SKUs: 1600
    Hours per picker: 1.67

    Pick hours vs SKUs/order

    If SKU density changes

    Worked example

    Inputs

    Orders
    500
    SKUs per order
    3.2
    Pick speed
    120 SKUs/hour

    Outputs

    Total SKUs
    ≈ 1,600
    Pick hours needed
    ≈ 13.3 hours

    If pick hours exceed available labor, reduce wave size, increase pick speed, or add pickers.

    Benchmarks / ranges

    These are conservative ranges. Your results depend on density, stops, traffic, and service type.

    • Pick speed (manual)
      80–140 SKUs/hour
      Depends on layout and travel time.
    • SKUs per order
      1–6
      Higher SKU count increases complexity.
    • Wave size
      100–800 orders
      Tune to staffing and dock capacity.

    What to do next

    • If pick hours are too high, split into smaller waves.
    • Improve slotting or layout to raise pick speed.
    • Track actual pick speed weekly and update assumptions.

    Use Lynxo to run this in real life

    Lynxo is delivery management software: dispatch + driver app + live tracking + proof of delivery + reporting.

    • Plan routes and assign runs in a dispatch dashboard
    • Send live ETA links so customers/sites are ready
    • Use a driver app for stop-by-stop execution and exceptions
    • Capture proof of delivery (photos, signatures, timestamps) per stop
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    Where this helps

    • Warehouse labor planning
    • Order wave sizing
    • Layout or process change ROI

    FAQs

    Should I include packing time here?

    No. Add packing as a separate step or include it in pick speed if teams are combined.

    What if SKU counts vary a lot?

    Use a weighted average (or split fast/slow orders into separate waves).

    How do I improve pick speed?

    Better slotting, clear labels, and fewer travel steps usually help most.

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