Wave Picking
Wave Picking is releasing groups of orders to the floor at scheduled times (waves), often grouped by carrier cutoff, shipping method, or zone.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
Waves let a warehouse hit carrier pickup times, but rigid waves can leave pickers idle between releases. Many modern WMSs use waveless or continuous release instead.
Common questions
- What is the difference between wave picking and batch picking?
- Wave picking is about when orders are released to the floor, in scheduled groups. Batch picking is about how a picker collects several orders in one trip, and the two are often used together.
Cite this entry
"Wave Picking." Fulfillment Lexicon, last reviewed October 16, 2026. https://fulfillment.wiki/glossary/wave-picking/