Calculator · 3 min

Travel & search-time estimator

See how order time is divided among walking, searching, scanning, picking, and handling.

No sign-in · Results are not sent to Voodoo · Assumptions shownNot sure about a term? Open the plain-English glossary

Your numbers

Describe your operation

Example values are already filled in so you can see how the tool works. Replace them with measurements from your operation. Results update immediately.

Open the plain-English glossary

US-unit shortcut

1 meter is about 3.28 feet. The prefilled 260-meter route is about 853 feet.

Route distance / orderTotal walking distance for the complete order route, including returns to the cart and endpoint.

Example: 260 meters (about 853 feet)Walking speedAverage speed while actually doing this work—not unobstructed hallway walking speed.

m/s

Example: 1.25 meters/secondLines per orderAverage number of different products listed on one order.

Example: 4 different products/orderSearch seconds / lineSeconds spent finding the exact location and product after reaching the area.

sec

Example: 7 seconds/lineScan / confirm secondsSeconds used to scan or otherwise confirm one product line.

sec

Example: 3 seconds/linePhysical pick secondsSeconds used to grasp, count, and place the product, excluding walking and searching.

sec

Example: 6 seconds/lineSetup + handling / orderTime to start the task, handle cart or totes, print labels, and close the order.

sec

Example: 35 seconds/orderException ratePercent of orders with one average problem that adds the time entered below.

Example: 4 problems per 100 orders = 4%Seconds / exceptionAverage extra time caused when one of those problems occurs.

sec

Example: 90 seconds/problemAnnual ordersTotal customer orders processed in one year.

Example: 180,000 orders/year

Show the math and assumptions

Order time = walking time + products per order × (search + confirmation + physical pick) + setup + average problem time.

How to read this

The yellow result is the main planning answer. Change any uncertain input to see whether the answer is stable. Treat this as a starting point for a small real-world test, not a promise.

Modeled seconds / order310.6 secEstimated total order time from the values entered.

Modeled orders / hour11.6One continuously working person’s modeled output under these assumptions.

Walking share67%Percent of the modeled order time spent walking the entered route.

Search + confirm share13%Percent of modeled order time spent finding products and recording confirmation.

Addressable annual hours*1,610Illustrative maximum hours affected by the stated search and confirmation assumptions—not a forecast.

Annual labor at current model15,530 hoursTotal modeled labor-hours for the entered annual order volume.

Where the order time goes

Walking 67%Searching 9%Scan or confirm 4%Physical pick 8%Setup and handling 11%Problems 1%

*The maximum-hours illustration assumes all search time disappears and confirmation time falls 35%. That is not a forecast, and it gives no credit for walking reduction.

What to check nextMeasure the full route instead of estimating from building dimensions: starting point, aisle travel, returns to the cart, common problems, and final destination.

After the calculation

Test the answer on a small piece of real work.

Measure today’s result first. Write down what success means, what can go wrong, and how workers will continue if the new method fails.

Plan a small trial Build a go-live test