Return Rate Calculator

About this calculator

The return rate tells a seller what share of everything they shipped came back unsold or unwanted. The formula is straightforward — return rate = units returned ÷ units sold, expressed as a percentage — but the number carries real weight in ecommerce and retail because every returned unit costs money twice: once in the original fulfillment and again in reverse logistics, restocking or write-off.

Merchandisers and ecommerce operators track return rate by category because acceptable levels vary enormously by product type: apparel and footwear commonly see 20–30% or higher due to sizing and fit issues, while categories like consumer electronics or packaged goods typically run in the low single digits. A rising return rate on a specific SKU is often an early warning sign of a sizing chart error, misleading product photos or a quality defect that needs fixing before it erodes margin further.

This calculator takes the number of units returned and the number of units sold and gives you the return rate instantly, so you can compare it against your category's benchmark or watch it move over time.