Understanding On-Time Delivery Rate
How we calculate. OTD % = on-time deliveries ÷ total deliveries × 100. See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical On-Time Delivery Rate case uses on-time shipments 920 and total shipments 1000. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is On-Time Delivery Rate?
A core customer-service logistics KPI. Define “on time” as arrival by appointment, by requested date, or by carrier SLA—and keep that rule stable.
- Same shipment set in numerator and denominator
- Define the delivery window clearly
- Segment by lane or mode for diagnosis
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Carrier scorecards: OTD by partner
- Customer SLAs: promised vs actual
- Network reviews: lane reliability
Pro Tips
- Exclude cancelled orders if policy says so
- Separate early vs late when analyzing root cause
- Pair with OTIF for completeness
| 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: On-Time Delivery Rate results are educational logistics and supply-chain planning aids—not SLAs, carrier contracts, or inventory valuation advice. Confirm definitions with your WMS/TMS and 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 on time delivery rate 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 on time delivery rate 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 on time delivery rate? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this on time delivery rate calculator?
For on time delivery rate, 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 on time delivery rate—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking on time delivery rate, 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 logistics and supply-chain KPI definitions, consult:
- CSCMP — supply chain management resources
- ASCM / APICS — operations and inventory body of knowledge
- ISO 28000 — security management for the supply chain (context)