Line Balance Efficiency Calculator
Measure how evenly work is spread across your line — balance efficiency and balance delay in seconds. Free, instant and fully in your browser.
Line balance efficiency
81.8%
Efficiency = Total work content / (Stations × Cycle time)
What is line balance efficiency?
Line balance efficiency is the share of available station time that is actually doing work rather than waiting. It is the total work content divided by the number of stations times the cycle time. Low efficiency means work is unevenly spread — some stations idle while a bottleneck holds the line back. Balancing redistributes work so each station's load sits just under takt.
How to calculate it
- 1
Add up the work content
Sum the work-element times across the whole line (a video time study gives reliable element times).
- 2
Enter stations and cycle time
Use the number of stations and the cycle time (usually the bottleneck station, or takt).
- 3
Read efficiency and balance delay
Efficiency = work content / (stations × cycle time). Balance delay is what is lost to uneven loading.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good line balance efficiency?
It depends on the line, but many manual lines start in the 60–75% range and well-balanced lines reach 85–95%. The trend matters more than an absolute target — track it as you rebalance.
What is balance delay?
Balance delay is simply 100% minus efficiency — the share of station time wasted because work is unevenly distributed across stations.
How does Yamazo Studio balance lines?
Yamazo Studio turns video time studies into Yamazumi charts and drag-and-drop balancing scenarios, so you can redistribute work elements against takt and see efficiency update live.
Related lean tools & guides
From a number to a balanced line
A calculator scores the balance. Yamazo Studio turns shop-floor video into the Yamazumi charts and balancing scenarios that fix it — one offline Lean Operating Desk.
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