Cycle count schedule planner

Build a dated cycle counting schedule for product groups, aisles or storage areas. Choose the planning window, a repeat frequency and a first-count day for each group. This free planner produces a printable checklist and text or CSV download, with the location and optional owner beside each count.

Create a cycle counting schedule

1. Enter a schedule name and start date, then choose a planning window of one to 26 weeks.
2. Add a count group with a clear name and location. “A items, stockroom bays 1–3” is easier to act on than “inventory.”
3. Add a counter or owner if you know who will do the work.
4. Choose a frequency: every week, every two weeks, every four weeks or every thirteen weeks.
5. Set the first count to the start date or an offset of one to six days after it. The group repeats on that weekday throughout the planning window.
6. Review the dated preview, then print or download the schedule.

The planner supports up to 20 groups and at most 520 dated count rows. A group represents the scope you enter; the tool does not expand it into individual products or calculate how long each count will take.

How the dates are generated

The first count is the schedule start date plus the group's chosen offset. Later counts repeat after 7, 14, 28 or 91 days. The window includes its end date, which is the start date plus the selected number of weeks minus one day.

These are fixed week intervals. Every four weeks is not the same as once per calendar month, and every thirteen weeks is not a calendar-quarter schedule. Weekends and holidays are included. Check the preview and choose a suitable start date and offset for your team.

Staggering groups can spread the workload. For example, place a frequent count on Monday and a second group on Wednesday instead of giving both the same offset. The planner does not check whether an owner is already assigned another count or is available that day.

Worked example: eight weeks of counts

The sample begins November 2, 2026, and ends December 27, 2026:

That produces 14 planned counts. The C group appears on November 6 and December 4; the next four-week repeat is outside this window. A new schedule or a longer window is needed to plan later counts.

The frequencies are an example, not a required ABC policy. Use the ABC inventory analyzer to review value-based groups, then decide the frequency using your own stock risks, discrepancy history and available time. The cycle counting guide explains how to define count scope and investigate differences.

Use the schedule during a count

The printed preview includes a space to mark a count done. Text and CSV exports provide a separate working copy for completion and notes. Record the actual item quantities using the stocktake tool, and follow your normal review process before adjusting stock.

This page creates a plan. It does not create business tasks, send reminders, record completed counts online or change stock quantities. Owner names are labels in the schedule, not notifications or assignments in another system.

The draft is kept in the current browser tab when storage is available. Print or download it before closing the tab. Use Reset sample to return to the example or Start blank to prepare another schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Can I schedule different areas of the same store?

Yes. Add each area as a group with its own location, frequency, offset and optional owner. Keep the scope narrow enough that a counter knows exactly what to include.

Does the planner skip holidays?

No. It repeats at fixed day intervals and includes weekends and holidays. Review the generated dates and account for closures when planning the work.

Can I import the result into a calendar?

The planner exports text and CSV. It does not generate calendar invitations or send reminders. You can use the dated CSV as a reference when entering counts into your own scheduling process.