How to calculate Backorder Rate

Formula

Backorder rate = backordered lines ÷ total order lines × 100

SQL query

This example assumes: order_lines(order_id, product_id, ordered_at, backordered). It is written in PostgreSQL syntax; date functions differ slightly in MySQL, BigQuery and SQLite, and your column names will differ from these.

SELECT DATE_TRUNC('month', ordered_at) AS month,
       COUNT(*) FILTER (WHERE backordered) * 100.0 / NULLIF(COUNT(*), 0) AS backorder_pct
FROM order_lines
GROUP BY 1
ORDER BY 1;

Common mistakes that make Backorder Rate wrong

• A product flagged backordered once and fulfilled later still counts for the original order date.
• Lines vs orders vs units give different rates; choose one.
• Pre-orders are not backorders: they were never expected to ship from stock.

Ask for Backorder Rate in plain English

Instead of writing the query yourself, you can type the question. SchemaChat turns it into SQL against your connected database or uploaded file, runs it, and shows the SQL and the figures it used so you can check the answer before you share it. It does not replace your judgement about the definition: check that the query matches the formula your business uses.

• What is our backorder rate by month?
• Which products are backordered most often?