How to calculate Inventory Accuracy

Formula

Inventory accuracy = items where counted quantity equals system quantity ÷ items counted

SQL query

This example assumes: cycle_counts(counted_at date, location text, sku text, system_qty numeric, counted_qty numeric). It is written in PostgreSQL syntax; date functions differ slightly in MySQL, BigQuery and SQLite, and your column names will differ from these.

SELECT counted_at,
       COUNT(*) AS items_counted,
       COUNT(*) FILTER (WHERE counted_qty = system_qty) AS exact_matches,
       COUNT(*) FILTER (WHERE counted_qty = system_qty)::numeric / NULLIF(COUNT(*), 0) AS accuracy
FROM cycle_counts
GROUP BY counted_at
ORDER BY counted_at;

Common mistakes that make Inventory Accuracy wrong

• Some operations allow a tolerance (for example ±1 unit); apply the same tolerance everywhere.
• Counting only high-value or problem items biases the result upward or downward.
• Accuracy by item count and accuracy by value are different measures.

Ask for Inventory Accuracy 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 was our inventory accuracy at each cycle count?
• Which locations have the lowest inventory accuracy?