Which rate should I enter as demonstrated?

Good units divided by run hours over recent comparable shifts, or so far this shift once the run has settled. Take breaks and changeovers out of those hours, as in run time remaining, so the two rates compare like for like.

Should I divide the required rate by OEE or efficiency?

Not when you compare it with a demonstrated rate. Both are good units per run hour, so stops and rejects are already in the demonstrated rate. Dividing by OEE as well counts them twice and overstates the gap.

What can I do when the required rate is above the demonstrated rate?

Act while there is time left: add run time, keep the constraint running through breaks, put off a changeover that can wait, or agree a new due date. Waiting until the last hour removes most of these options.

Do breaks count in run time remaining?

No. Take out the breaks, meetings and planned changeovers still ahead of the deadline, or the required rate is understated. A 30-minute lunch inside a four-hour window raises it by about 14%.

Lean Manufacturing & Operations calculator

Required Run Rate Calculator

Work out the pace, in good units an hour, that finishes the remaining quantity by the deadline, and test it against the rate your line has demonstrated. You need units still due, run time left and that rate.

What this calculator does

Good units an hour needed to finish on time, compared with the rate your line has shown it can hold.

Formula used

Required run rate = remaining quantity ÷ run time remaining
Required vs demonstrated = required run rate ÷ demonstrated rate × 100
Projected output by deadline = demonstrated rate × run time remaining; projected surplus = projected output − remaining quantity
Extra run time needed (min) = MAX(0, remaining quantity ÷ demonstrated rate − run time remaining) × 60
Pace needed per unit (sec) = 3,600 × run time remaining ÷ remaining quantity

Inputs explained

Remaining Quantity: Good units still due: order or plan quantity minus good units made.
Run Time Remaining: Hours left before the deadline, minus breaks, meetings and planned changeovers.
Demonstrated Rate: Good units ÷ run hours, from recent shifts or so far today.

How to use the result

Best suited to mid-shift catch-up after a breakdown, accepting or pushing back on a rush order, deciding on overtime before the shift ends.
A breakdown or material shortage still ahead can pull the rate below its demonstrated average. Extra run time assumes the line keeps its demonstrated rate past the deadline, in overtime or a later shift.

Current U.S. benchmarks

U.S. manufacturing runs at 75.7% of capacity (Federal Reserve, Aug 2026). New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

Common questions

Which rate should I enter as demonstrated? Good units divided by run hours over recent comparable shifts, or so far this shift once the run has settled. Take breaks and changeovers out of those hours, as in run time remaining, so the two rates compare like for like.
Should I divide the required rate by OEE or efficiency? Not when you compare it with a demonstrated rate. Both are good units per run hour, so stops and rejects are already in the demonstrated rate. Dividing by OEE as well counts them twice and overstates the gap.
What can I do when the required rate is above the demonstrated rate? Act while there is time left: add run time, keep the constraint running through breaks, put off a changeover that can wait, or agree a new due date. Waiting until the last hour removes most of these options.
Do breaks count in run time remaining? No. Take out the breaks, meetings and planned changeovers still ahead of the deadline, or the required rate is understated. A 30-minute lunch inside a four-hour window raises it by about 14%.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.