Guide · KPIs
OTIF vs fill rate vs DIFOT: the formulas, and why your numbers disagree.
Transport says OTIF is 96. Sales says 81. Both can be right, because they are measuring different things. Fix the definition before you fix the number.
The definitions
| Metric | Formula | Counts as success when |
|---|---|---|
| OTIF (on time, in full) | Orders delivered on time and in full ÷ total orders × 100 | The whole order arrives in the agreed window and complete |
| DIFOT (delivered in full, on time) | Same as OTIF; the name used in Australia and parts of Europe | Same as OTIF |
| Line fill rate | Order lines shipped complete ÷ order lines ordered × 100 | Each line is full, regardless of time |
| Case fill rate | Cases shipped ÷ cases ordered × 100 | Measures volume, so one big short line barely moves it |
| On-time delivery | Orders delivered in the window ÷ total orders × 100 | Time only, quantity ignored |
A worked example
An RDC places 10 orders in a week, 1,000 cases in total. Eight arrive on time; one of those eight is short by 20 cases; the other two arrive a day late but complete.
- On-time delivery = 8 ÷ 10 = 80%.
- OTIF = 7 orders on time and full ÷ 10 = 70%.
- Case fill rate = 980 ÷ 1,000 = 98%.
The same week reads 98%, 80% or 70% depending on who reports it. This is why transport, sales and the customer argue: they are all correct about different metrics.
Why OTIF numbers disagree inside one company
- Which promise date? The customer’s requested date, the confirmed date, or the dispatch plan.
- Which window? Same day, ±1 day, or an hour slot.
- Measured where? At dispatch, at the gate of the RDC, or on POD.
- Order or line? One short line fails a whole order under OTIF.
- Who caused it? A delay caused by the customer’s closed dock should not fail the carrier.
How to make one OTIF everyone accepts
- Write the rule down: promise date, window, point of measurement, order or line.
- Calculate it in one system, from data each party can inspect.
- Attribute every miss to an owner, shipper, customer or carrier, with a reason.
- Report OTIF alongside fill rate, so volume and service are both visible.
How SCM for Manufacturers keeps one definition
SCM for Manufacturers calculates TAT, ETA, ATA and on-time verdicts the same way for every trip, in calendar days, from data the customer can inspect: on time, delay (+1 day) or super delay (+2 days or more). Every delayed trip must be attributed to the shipper, customer or carrier with a reason, and those attributions feed the carrier scorecard. Ten KPIs carry one definition each.
Questions
What is the difference between OTIF and fill rate?
OTIF counts an order as a success only if it is both on time and complete. Fill rate measures how much of the ordered quantity was shipped, regardless of time.
Is DIFOT the same as OTIF?
Yes. DIFOT (delivered in full, on time) and OTIF measure the same thing; the names differ by region and company.
What is a good OTIF score?
It depends on the industry, the window and how strictly in full is defined. Compare your OTIF with your own trend under one written definition before comparing with benchmarks.
See it on your own data. SCM for Manufacturers puts the plant gate, carriers, RDC stock, cold chain and OTIF on one control tower. Book a 30-minute working session with an engineer.