---
title: "Stock count"
description: "What is a stock count? Counting the stock physically in a warehouse and comparing it with the system. Learn how to count accurately and how variances post."
url: https://1flux.ai/glossary/stock-count
last_updated: 2026-10-10
---

[Procurement and inventory](https://1flux.ai/glossary#procurement-and-inventory)

# Stock count

What is a stock count, and how do you turn count differences into a correct stock value?

Glossary Updated 10 October 2026

Definition

A stock count (physical inventory count) is the process of counting the stock actually held in a warehouse and comparing it with the quantities in the system.

## What is a stock count used for?

Differences between the count and the system, called count variances, come from theft, damage, unrecorded movements and data-entry errors. Counts are usually taken at year-end for the auditors and more often for high-value items. Good practice is to snapshot system quantities when the count starts, stop or record movements during it, and recount large differences.

A count variance

Example

- System quantity

  1,200 units

- Counted

  1,180 units

- Variance

  −20 units at USD 4

Adjustment posted

USD −80

A full count covers the whole warehouse; a [cycle count](https://1flux.ai/glossary/cycle-count) covers a subset. Damaged stock found during a count is usually handled as an [inventory write-off](https://1flux.ai/glossary/inventory-write-off).

In 1flux

Stock counts cover a whole warehouse from a snapshot, can be blind, require every line to be counted, stop if stock moved during the count and post the variance at cost in one step. [See stock counts, transfers and wastage](https://1flux.ai/products/inventory/stock-control)

Related

## Keep exploring

### [Cycle count](https://1flux.ai/glossary/cycle-count)

Counting a small slice of stock on a regular schedule.

### [Inventory write-off](https://1flux.ai/glossary/inventory-write-off)

Removing lost, damaged or expired stock from the books.

### [Blind receiving](https://1flux.ai/glossary/blind-receiving)

Counting a delivery without seeing the ordered quantity.

### [Stock control](https://1flux.ai/products/inventory/stock-control)

Snapshot counts, transfers and write-offs with reasons, each difference posted at cost.

Last updated 10 October 2026