Worked example
A café uses 12 litres of milk a day, gets deliveries every 7 days and keeps a 20% buffer.
12 × 7 × 1.2 = 100.8 → par of 101 litres. With 30 on hand, order 71.
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Par level calculator
Find the right amount to keep on the shelf between deliveries, and exactly how much to order today based on what you have on hand.
Par level
101 units
Usage until next delivery
84 units
Order now
71 units
Par level is rounded up to whole units. Order quantity = par level − stock on hand (never below zero).
Setting par levels across a site
- Track usage for two normal weeks.
- Set par per item and write it on the shelf label.
- Count before each order and top up to par.
- Review monthly — and after menu or season changes.
Stop doing this math in a spreadsheet
StockSimple tracks stock, cost prices and stock value for you, emails you when items hit their reorder level, and scans barcodes with your phone. From $6.99/month, 14-day free trial, no card needed.
Try StockSimple freeFrequently asked questions
What is a par level?
Par level is the amount of an item you want on hand right after a delivery so you don't run out before the next one. Restaurants, bars, hotels, cleaning companies and service vans all use it.
What is the par level formula?
Par level = average daily usage × days between deliveries × (1 + safety buffer %). Order quantity = par level − what you have on hand.
What safety buffer should I use?
10–20% suits most items. Go higher for items with unpredictable demand or unreliable suppliers, lower for perishables that spoil.
How is par level different from reorder point?
Par level tells you how much to top up to on a fixed delivery schedule. A reorder point tells you when to order if you can order any day.
Can StockSimple track par levels?
Set a minimum on each product and StockSimple emails you a daily list of everything at or below it, so restocking to par becomes a quick checklist.
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