Choose the denominator before the percentage
Gross building area includes aisles, exits, workstations and other space that may not be storage. State whether you are reporting occupied storage footprint, used pallet positions or occupied storage volume. Use the same basis for the numerator and denominator, and keep inaccessible or blocked capacity separate.
| Measure | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Storage footprint | 120 m² occupied ÷ 200 m² usable storage area | 60% |
| Pallet positions | 72 occupied ÷ 90 usable positions | 80% |
| Storage volume | 150 m³ occupied ÷ 300 m³ usable storage volume | 50% |
Account for different packaging
A carton measuring 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.3 metres has a bounding volume of 0.072 m³. Twenty such cartons total 1.44 m³ before allowances for pallets, gaps and handling. Sacks and flexible packets may not maintain a rectangular shape. Oversized goods, fragile packs and mixed pallets need product-specific rules rather than one average carton size.
A mathematical fit is not a safe storage decision
Check load rating, stacking limits, stability, access, aisle clearance and the equipment used to move goods. Rotation may be restricted, goods may need separation and a worker must still reach the product. Apply the site's approved safety and storage rules before using spare visual space. A volume calculation alone cannot approve a rack or stack.
Connect the measurements to the warehouse records
In Veristow, maintain product packaging and mapped location details as part of setup. Review client allocations and recorded occupancy with the people placing or assigning goods. When dimensions are estimated, treat the result as an estimate until measured. Use a pilot area to compare the visual map, physical occupancy and recorded quantities before extending the model.
Common questions
Can floor area and cubic volume be compared directly?
No. Square metres describe area and cubic metres describe volume. Report each against a capacity measured in the same unit.
Can we aim for 100% utilisation?
A percentage alone is not the goal. Handling access, replenishment, safety clearances and variability may require spare capacity. Agree targets for the actual storage system and workflow.
