Understanding Time to Fill
How we calculate. Average days = sum of days-to-fill ÷ number of filled positions. See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical Time to Fill case uses total days to fill 420 and positions filled 12. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Time to Fill?
Recruiting speed KPI. Time-to-hire often starts at candidate application; time-to-fill usually starts at req open.
- Sum days for each filled req
- Exclude canceled reqs unless policy includes them
- Clarify accept vs start date
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- TA ops: SLA vs actual
- Hiring manager reviews: bottleneck roles
- Seasonality: peak hiring months
Pro Tips
- Separate backfills vs new headcount
- Watch approval lag before posting
- Don’t optimize speed alone at quality’s expense
| Scenario | When to use |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Finding a part of a whole (tax, tip, score) |
| Percent change | Comparing old vs new values |
Limitations: Time to Fill results are educational HR planning aids—not legal, payroll, or employment advice. Confirm definitions with your HR/finance policies.
Common mistakes
- Swapping part and whole: The denominator must be the full total, not a subset.
- Rounding too early: Carry extra decimal places through multi-step work before rounding the final percent.
- Mixing percent and decimal forms: Enter rates in the format the calculator labels expect.
The worked example for time to fill was verified with the calculator form on this page—enter the same values to confirm the result.
When to use this calculator
- Use this page when your wording matches time to fill and the form labels on screen.
- Use percent of a number for “what is X% of Y?” problems.
- Use number is what percent when you know part and whole and need the percent.
Still unsure about time to fill? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this time to fill calculator?
For time to fill, enter the values labeled on the form, then press Calculate. Compare the result to the worked example on this page.
What formula does this page use?
See the quick answer and formula box above for time to fill—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking time to fill, re-check part vs whole (or rate vs base), rounding, and whether percents were entered as 25 rather than 0.25 when the form expects percents.
Authoritative References
For people-analytics definitions, consult: