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Economic Order Quantity (EOQ): Formula & Example

Last updated: 2026-08-13 · Source: MADES AI manufacturing database

For an annual demand of 1,200 units, ordering cost of $50 and holding cost of $2/unit/year, the Economic Order Quantity is 244.9 units — about 4.9 orders per year.

What is the Economic Order Quantity formula?

EOQ = √(2DS/H) = √(2 × 1,200 × 50 / 2) = √60,000 ≈ 244.9 units

MetricValue
EOQ244.9 units
Orders per year4.9
Annual holding cost$244.95
Annual ordering cost$244.95
Total annual cost$489.90

At the EOQ, holding cost equals ordering cost — the classic optimization balance point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the economic order quantity (EOQ)?

EOQ is the order quantity that minimizes total inventory costs. Example: EOQ = √(2×1200×50/2) ≈ 245 units.

How do you calculate EOQ?

Use the formula EOQ = √(2DS/H) where D = annual demand, S = ordering cost per order, H = holding cost per unit per year.