Production Run Time Calculator
How long a production run of a given quantity takes — cycle time, setup, the number of machines and their availability — and how many units a shift yields.
Run time is the quantity times the cycle time, divided among the machines, plus the setup on each, all divided by availability (the share of scheduled time the machine is actually running).
How the production run time calculator works
Run time is the quantity times the cycle time, divided among the machines, plus the setup on each, all divided by availability (the share of scheduled time the machine is actually running). Two identical machines halve the run but each needs its own setup. The shift row inverts it: the units a shift produces after setup and at the given availability.
Formula: run time = setup + (quantity × cycle time ÷ machines) ÷ availability
Worked examples
| Inputs | Total run time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 units at 12 s on two machines, 85% availability | 10.55 hours | 10.55 h — 1.3 shifts |
| 500 units at 90 s on one machine | 14.39 hours | 14.39 h |
| A short job: 200 units at 5 s | 36.67 minutes | 36.67 min |
FAQFrequently asked questions
Should setup count once or per machine?
Per machine — each must be set up, and they usually run in parallel, so the setup is not multiplied in the elapsed time but it does consume that time on every machine. The calculator treats setups as simultaneous.
What availability should I use?
The share of scheduled time the machine actually runs: 100% minus breakdowns, changeovers, material waits and breaks. 85% is typical for a well-run line; the OEE calculator breaks it down further.
Why is my real run longer?
Quality losses (rework and scrap) and speed losses (running under rated cycle time) are not in availability. Multiply the quantity by 1 ÷ yield to make good parts, and use the real cycle time, not the nameplate.
How do I plan across shifts?
The shifts row divides the total by the shift length; setup that spans a shift change costs extra. Schedule setups at shift starts, or leave machines set up overnight.
Where these figures come from
- Nakajima (1988) — Introduction to TPM — the origin of Overall Equipment Effectiveness and its six big losses
- Safe Work Australia — the national work health and safety body
Last checked: September 2026. Definitions follow standard operations-management practice; where plants commonly differ, the page says so.