Lines per Order

Lines per order predicts pick labor better than units, because each line usually means a trip to a different location. It shapes the pick method, the pick fees you negotiate, and how much a multi-item order costs to fill. For example, 12,000 orders containing 18,000 lines average 1.5 lines per order. A warehouse whose orders are mostly single-line can batch pick and pack straight from the tote. A profile of 4 or 5 lines per order points toward cluster or zone picking instead.

Lines per order = total order lines ÷ total orders

Why do lines per order matter more than units per order for picking?

Picking 3 units of one SKU is a single trip to one location, while 3 different SKUs require three locations. Warehouse travel time and pick fees therefore track lines more closely than units.

How do you calculate lines per order?

Divide total order lines by total orders. 18,000 lines across 12,000 orders is 1.5 lines per order.

What is a single-line order?

An order with one SKU line, even if the quantity is more than one. Single-line orders can often be batch picked and packed straight from a tote, which makes them the cheapest to fulfill.

• Units per OrderUPOAverage items in each order
• Batch PickingOne trip picks items for several orders
• Units per HourUPHUnits handled in one labor hour
• Pick and PackTaking items off the shelf and boxing them