Takt vs Cycle Time Gap Calculator

Work out takt vs cycle time gap instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Takt vs Cycle Time Gap Calculator

Takt time is available time divided by customer demand — the drumbeat the line must match. A positive gap between actual cycle time and takt means the line is slower than demand and will fall behind by the shortfall every shift, no matter how hard operators work.

Formulas

Takt time

Takt = available time / customer demand

Gap and shortfall

Gap = actual cycle time - takt; achievable output = available time / actual cycle time

Worked example

With the default values below, Takt vs Cycle Time Gap Calculator returns Takt Time of 54.000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Available Time Per Shiftminimum 0.01 minutes: 450 minutes
Customer Demand Per Shiftminimum 1 units: 500 units
Actual Cycle Timeminimum 0.01 seconds: 58 seconds
Shifts Per Dayaccepts 1–4: 2

Results

Takt Time: 54.000
Cycle Time Minus Takt: 4.000
Achievable Output Per Shift: 466
Daily Shortfall Against Demand: 69

Step by step

1Values used
2Takt time
3Gap and shortfall
4Takt Time= 54.000
5Cycle Time Minus Takt= 4.000
6Achievable Output Per Shift= 466
7Daily Shortfall Against Demand= 69

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should breaks be included in available time?

No. Available time is planned run time after scheduled breaks, meetings and planned maintenance are removed. Including them makes takt look easier than it is.

What if the gap is negative?

The line is faster than demand and will build inventory unless it stops when the day's requirement is met. Levelled production means running to takt, not running flat out.