Textile operations tool

Garment Production Capacity & Lead-Time Calculator

Check whether a sewing line can meet an export order quantity before accepting a shipment date. The estimate converts available operator minutes and expected efficiency into output.

Calculate online

Enter your production values to calculate an operational estimate.

Garment SAM and number of operators
Shift hours and expected efficiency
Order quantity and working days per week

Calculation method

Estimate daily garment output and working-day lead time using SAM, operators, shift hours, efficiency and export order quantity.

Method: daily capacity = operators × shift minutes × efficiency % ÷ garment SAM

Worked example: daily line capacity

Plan a line with 40 operators, an eight-hour shift, 20-minute SAM and 60% expected efficiency.

Available time is 40 × 8 × 60 = 19,200 operator-minutes per day.
Earned capacity at 60% is 11,520 minutes, divided by 20 SAM = 576 pieces per day.
A 10,000-piece order needs about 18 working days before calendar and contingency allowances.

Frequently asked questions

What is SAM in garment production?

Standard Allowed Minute is the allowed time to produce one garment or operation using the defined method and performance standard.

Does this include fabric, approval and finishing lead time?

No. This estimates sewing capacity. Add time for approvals, material procurement, cutting, printing or embroidery, washing, finishing, inspection and shipment booking.

Should operators be counted per line or per factory?

Use only the operators actually assigned to the capacity being calculated. For multiple lines, calculate each line separately when their SAM or efficiency differs.

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