Product Return Rate Calculator
Measure returned units and estimated handling cost for a sales cohort.
Example result
- Return handling cost
- 800
Use unit counts, not orders. Allow the returns window to mature; refunds and lost product value are excluded from handling cost.
How to calculate it
Use unit counts, not orders. Allow the returns window to mature; refunds and lost product value are excluded from handling cost.
Worked example
This is an illustrative scenario, not a market benchmark. Select “Reset to example” to reproduce it in the calculator.
- Units sold in cohort
- 2,000 units
- Units returned
- 100 units
- Handling cost per returned unit
- 8 currency units
Unit return rate: 5%
Product Return Rate FAQ
Why use a sales cohort?
Returns received this month may relate to earlier sales. Cohort measurement aligns returned units with the sales that created them.
What does this calculation leave out?
Use unit counts, not orders. Allow the returns window to mature; refunds and lost product value are excluded from handling cost.
Are my inputs saved or sent to a server?
Calculations run in your browser. We do not send your inputs or results to our server or analytics. A comparison stays in this tab until it is refreshed. A CSV is saved only when you choose to download it. See our privacy policy for ordinary hosting and optional analytics data.
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