Little's Law Calculator
Explore the relationship among Work in Process, Throughput and Cycle Time, test flow assumptions, convert units and see how accumulating WIP changes delivery performance.
Three averages describe one flow relationship.
Little's Law connects average WIP, average throughput and average cycle time. The tool lets you manipulate each lever, solve for the third variable, convert units and test what happens when WIP accumulates faster than the system can complete work.
Little's Law Calculator — Step by Step
Eight locked stages move from the flow context through all three formula forms, unit consistency, system conditions, a demand-spike challenge and management review.
WIP, Throughput, Cycle Time and Flow Confidence
Reveal the flow context to begin.
Interpret the flow relationship before acting on the number.
Solve for Any Little's Law Variable
Experiment Mode is isolated from the guided demonstration. Select the variable to solve for, change the other two values and observe the result immediately.
Test Little's Law judgement.
Little's Law formulas and cautions
WIP
WIP = Throughput × Cycle Time.
Cycle Time
Cycle Time = WIP ÷ Throughput.
Throughput
Throughput = WIP ÷ Cycle Time.
Use Averages
Use average WIP, average throughput and average cycle time over a coherent observation period.
Keep Units Consistent
Convert throughput and cycle time to compatible time units before calculating.
Interpret Carefully
Little's Law describes an average relationship; it does not guarantee the completion time of an individual item.
Use Little's Law to connect flow decisions: limit unnecessary WIP, understand the throughput required by a cycle-time target and interpret averages within a stable, clearly defined system boundary.