Inventory · Odoo glossary
Quantity on Hand
Quantity on hand is the amount of a product currently recorded in the selected stock scope. It is a recorded balance, which should be checked against physical counts.
Definition
In general ERP practice
Quantity on hand is the amount of a product currently recorded in the selected stock scope. It is a recorded balance, which should be checked against physical counts.
In Odoo
Odoo distinguishes on-hand quantity from free quantity and forecasted quantity. Reservations can reduce free stock without reducing on-hand stock. Planned incoming and outgoing movements affect the forecast; they do not prove goods have physically arrived or left.
A practical example
You have 20 units on hand and three are reserved for a customer. Free stock is 17 units. With five expected incoming units and three outgoing units, the forecast is 22 units, assuming those planned movements complete.
How to use the concept
On hand
What the system currently records. Check the selected company, warehouse, location and unit of measure before comparing balances.
Free stock
The quantity available without existing reservations. A confirmed order and a reservation are separate events controlled by configuration.
Forecast
A projection that combines current stock and planned movements. Dates and confirmed operations matter when judging future availability.
Official Odoo documentation
The Odoo-specific explanation above is based on the documentation for Odoo 19. Features and workflows can differ in other versions.
Related glossary terms
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