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DPMO Calculator

Calculate Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO) for quality control and Six Sigma metrics. Measure process quality and defect rates.

Number of ways a defect can occur per unit

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the number of defects found.
  2. Enter the number of units produced or inspected.
  3. Enter the number of opportunities per unit (ways a defect can occur).
  4. The calculator displays DPMO, defect rate, yield, and sigma level.
  5. Use this to measure process quality and track improvement.

DPMO Formula

DPMO is calculated from defects and opportunities:

DPMO = (Defects / Total Opportunities) × 1,000,000
Total Opportunities = Units × Opportunities Per Unit

Example: 5 defects in 1000 units with 2 opportunities per unit: Total Opportunities = 1000 × 2 = 2000. DPMO = (5 / 2000) × 1,000,000 = 2,500. Yield = (2000 - 5) / 2000 × 100% = 99.75%.

Full Description

DPMO (Defects Per Million Opportunities) is a key Six Sigma metric that measures process quality by counting defects per million opportunities for defects. It provides a standardized way to compare quality across different processes, products, and industries. DPMO is used extensively in manufacturing, quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives.

DPMO accounts for the number of opportunities for defects, not just the number of defects. This makes it more accurate than simple defect rates because it considers process complexity. For example, a product with many components has more opportunities for defects than a simple product. DPMO normalizes for this, allowing fair comparison. Lower DPMO indicates better quality. Six Sigma quality targets 3.4 DPMO (99.99966% yield).

This calculator helps you determine DPMO for your process. Enter defects, units, and opportunities per unit, and it calculates DPMO, defect rate, yield, and sigma level. Use it to measure process quality, track improvement, compare processes, or understand Six Sigma metrics. DPMO is essential for quality management and process improvement!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DPMO?

DPMO stands for Defects Per Million Opportunities. It's a Six Sigma metric that measures process quality by counting defects per million opportunities for defects. Lower DPMO means better quality. DPMO is used in manufacturing, quality control, and process improvement.

How is DPMO calculated?

DPMO = (Defects / Total Opportunities) × 1,000,000. Total Opportunities = Units × Opportunities Per Unit. Example: 5 defects in 1000 units with 2 opportunities per unit: DPMO = (5 / 2000) × 1,000,000 = 2,500.

What is a good DPMO?

Six Sigma target: 3.4 DPMO (99.99966% yield). Five Sigma: 233 DPMO (99.9767% yield). Four Sigma: 6,210 DPMO (99.379% yield). Three Sigma: 66,807 DPMO (93.319% yield). Lower DPMO = better quality. Most companies aim for 3-4 Sigma.

What are opportunities?

Opportunities are ways a defect can occur. For example, a product might have opportunities for: incorrect color, wrong size, missing part, damaged surface, etc. Each unit can have multiple opportunities. More opportunities = more chances for defects.