Where does the operation count come from?

Your routing: count each step that waits or runs, from material release through inspection and pack out. Outside processing handoffs count too, because they add waiting days even when no one is working.

What daily production hours should I enter?

The staffed hours on the busiest shared resource, not the shop's open hours. If the order crosses a mill and a lathe, run each routing and promise the slower result.

Can I promise the date when days ahead is small?

Only if operations and staffing hold. One rework loop or a late outside service consumes the room, so keep a margin on promises you cannot move.

Why report the hours figure alongside the days?

Scheduling systems offset routes in working hours, while customers hear a number of days. Keeping both shows the same lead time in the unit each audience plans with.

Contract Manufacturing, Job Shop Quoting & Make-to-Order calculator

Make-To-Order Lead Time Calculator

Turn a routing into a lead time: operation count and pace give base hours, a queue allowance stretches them, and daily production hours convert the total to days. The result is then tested against the date you promised.

What this calculator does

Production days a make-to-order routing needs at your daily hours, checked against the lead time you promised.

Formula used

Base routing hours = routing operations ÷ operations per hour
Allowance hours = base routing hours × lead time allowance % ÷ 100
Lead time hours = base routing hours + allowance hours
Lead time days = lead time hours ÷ daily production hours
Days ahead of promised date = promised lead time days − lead time days

Inputs explained

Routing Operations: Operation count on the routing, including waiting and handoff steps.
Operations per Hour: Demonstrated completion pace for this part family and staffing.
Lead Time Allowance: Queue, setup, inspection and handoff allowance added to base hours.
Daily Production Hours: Staffed production hours each day on the routing resources.
Promised Lead Time Days: Lead time in days already promised to the customer.

How to use the result

Best suited to quoting a due date on a make-to-order job, sizing lead time across two shifts, checking a customer expedite request.
A single pace hides bottleneck operations; pace each critical step for tight promises. Calendar days and holidays are not modeled, only production hours worked each day.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The U.S. prime lending rate is 7.00% (Federal Reserve via FRED, 2026-10-02). Payback and financing math should start from today's rate, not a remembered one.

Common questions

Where does the operation count come from? Your routing: count each step that waits or runs, from material release through inspection and pack out. Outside processing handoffs count too, because they add waiting days even when no one is working.
What daily production hours should I enter? The staffed hours on the busiest shared resource, not the shop's open hours. If the order crosses a mill and a lathe, run each routing and promise the slower result.
Can I promise the date when days ahead is small? Only if operations and staffing hold. One rework loop or a late outside service consumes the room, so keep a margin on promises you cannot move.
Why report the hours figure alongside the days? Scheduling systems offset routes in working hours, while customers hear a number of days. Keeping both shows the same lead time in the unit each audience plans with.

Related guides

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.