Learning Curve Calculator
How the time or cost per unit falls as cumulative output doubles — the learning (experience) curve — with the figure for a given unit, the cumulative average and the total for a run.
Wright’s law: every doubling of cumulative output cuts the unit time by a fixed percentage.
How the learning curve calculator works
Wright’s law: every doubling of cumulative output cuts the unit time by a fixed percentage. An 80% curve means the second unit takes 80% of the first, the fourth 80% of the second, and so on: T_N = T₁ × N^b with b = log₂(rate). Aircraft assembly runs near 80%, electronics assembly 85–90%, simple machining 90–95%. The total for a run is the sum, which the calculator computes exactly.
Formula: T_N = T₁ × N^(log₂ r); total = Σ T_i
Worked examples
| Inputs | Time or cost for that unit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First unit 100 hours, 85% curve, unit 50 | 39.96 | 40.0 hours |
| 80% curve, unit 8 | 51.2 | 51.2 — three doublings |
| No learning | 60 | still 60 |
FAQFrequently asked questions
What learning rate should I use?
Historical curves: aircraft and shipbuilding 80–85%, electronics and appliance assembly 85–90%, machining 90–95%, highly automated processes near 100% (no learning). Fit your own from the first few units if you can.
Does it go on forever?
The model says so, but in practice the curve flattens once the process is standardized, and step changes (new tooling, automation) restart it. Use it for the first few hundred units and be cautious beyond.
Why does this matter for pricing?
A quote based on the first units overprices a long run, and a competitor further down the curve can undercut you. Costing on the cumulative average for the expected volume is the usual approach.
Is this the same as the experience curve?
Boston Consulting Group’s experience curve applies the same law to total cost per unit at the company or industry level, with rates of 70–85% for many manufactured goods; the mathematics is identical.
Where these figures come from
- Nakajima (1988) — Introduction to TPM — the origin of Overall Equipment Effectiveness and its six big losses
- OSHA — the US workplace safety administration
Last checked: September 2026. Definitions follow standard operations-management practice; where plants commonly differ, the page says so.