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Stock Coverage Calculator

Weeks of cover against forecast demand.

Written and maintained by Mohit PatelLast checked August 4, 2026How we build these
units
units
weeks

Stock coverage

8.0 weeks

adequate

Cover needed7.0 weeks
Surplus or shortfall1.0 weeks
Units to reach target cover0
Days of cover56 days

How the Stock Coverage Calculator works

Coverage measures stock against what you expect to sell rather than what you have sold. For anything seasonal that distinction is the whole game — the same units are ample in February and dangerously thin going into November.

Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.

Frequently asked questions

How is stock coverage calculated?

Current stock ÷ forecast weekly demand. 800 units against a forecast of 100 a week is 8 weeks of cover. Using forecast rather than historical demand is what separates it from a simple days-on-hand figure.

How much cover should I hold?

Enough to span the replenishment cycle plus lead time plus a buffer. Ordering every four weeks with a three-week lead time means roughly seven weeks before a buffer, so 8-10 weeks of cover is typical.

What if my forecast is wrong?

Then coverage is wrong by the same proportion, which is why it should be recalculated whenever the forecast is revised. Coverage inherits every weakness of the forecast behind it and adds none of its own.

How does coverage differ from days on hand?

Days on hand looks backward, using recent sales. Coverage looks forward, using forecast demand. In a stable business they agree; going into a peak or a decline they diverge sharply, and coverage is the more useful of the two.

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