Time to Fill

Written by Ananya Kapoor, UX Content Designer Reviewed by Vikram Sen, Technical Reviewer Last updated: June 1, 2026 Last verified: June 1, 2026 · Methodology · Accuracy policy

Recruiting speed KPI. Time-to-hire often starts at candidate application; time-to-fill usually starts at req open.

Average days = sum of days-to-fill ÷ number of filled positions.

Tip: Keep “Total Days to Fill” and “Positions Filled” on the same basis (period, units, and population) before calculating Time to Fill.

Cluster: HR hub · Professional KPIs · Percentage guide

Time to fill is the average calendar days from job open to offer acceptance (or start—match your definition).

Enter total days across filled roles and the count of positions filled.

Average Time to Fill

Understanding Time to Fill

How we calculate. Average days = sum of days-to-fill ÷ number of filled positions. The form uses the same arithmetic as the worked examples on this page. See our methodology and accuracy policy.

Real-world scenario: A typical Time to Fill case uses total days to fill 420 and positions filled 12. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.

What is Time to Fill?

Recruiting speed KPI. Time-to-hire often starts at candidate application; time-to-fill usually starts at req open.

Sum days for each filled req
Exclude canceled reqs unless policy includes them
Clarify accept vs start date

The Formula

Average Time to Fill

Time to fill = Total days-to-fill ÷ Positions filled

Worked Example

Scenario: 12 roles filled totaling 420 days from open to accept.

Step 1: Total days = 420

Step 2: Positions = 12

Step 3: Average = 420 ÷ 12 = 35 days

Answer: Average time to fill is 35 days.

Common Use Cases

TA ops: SLA vs actual
Hiring manager reviews: bottleneck roles
Seasonality: peak hiring months

Pro Tips

Separate backfills vs new headcount
Watch approval lag before posting
Don’t optimize speed alone at quality’s expense

Limitations: Time to Fill results are educational HR planning aids—not legal, payroll, or employment advice. Confirm definitions with your HR/finance policies.

FAQ

Time to fill vs time to hire?

Fill usually starts at req open; hire often starts when a candidate enters the pipeline.

Calendar or business days?

Most orgs use calendar days—state which you report.

Authoritative References

For people-analytics definitions, consult:

SHRM — HR metrics and workforce standards
ISO 30414 — human capital reporting guidance
U.S. BLS — labor statistics context