Quality & Metrology worked example

Process Capability Cp with tolerance width of 0.75 spec units: a worked example

This scenario runs the process capability cp calculation on the strong side: tolerance width of 0.75 spec units, with every other input held at its documented default. Use it when you need a quick Cp on a characteristic and want to see how much of the tolerance the process is consuming.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Tolerance width (USL minus LSL): 0.75 spec units (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 0.3)
  • Process spread (6 sigma): 0.24 spec units (unchanged)
  • Reporting conversion factor: 1 x (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Cp = tolerance width รท process spread) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.13 Cp for process capability cp, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.13 value for raw ratio.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1 x for conversion factor.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.24 value for process spread (6 sigma).

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where tolerance width sits at 0.3 spec units and the headline result is 1.25 Cp, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 3.13 Cp.
  • Use it during capability studies and process validation to judge whether process variation is tight enough for the specification, before worrying about centering. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Process capability Cp: 3.13 Cp (headline result)
  • Raw ratio: 3.13 value
  • Conversion factor: 1 x
  • Process spread (6 sigma): 0.24 value

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Process Capability Cp calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.