Account health, ads, inventory and fulfilment · The score behind storage limits
Inventory Performance Index
IPI is a composite of sell-through, excess, stranded inventory and in-stock rate. Fix the input, not the score.
Key facts
| Range | A score from 0 to 1000, updated regularly |
|---|---|
| Inputs | Sell-through, excess inventory, stranded inventory and in-stock rate |
| Threshold | Amazon publishes a quarterly threshold; falling below it can limit storage or restock capacity |
| Fast lever | Reduce excess and stranded units, and keep top SKUs in stock |
| Slow lever | Improve forecasting and assortment discipline over several cycles |
| Official source | Seller Central Inventory Performance Index help page |
What the score rewards
IPI is not a quality score. It rewards inventory that sells, avoids excess and does not sit stranded without a listing. A seller with a few fast, well-forecast SKUs will usually score better than a seller with a broad catalogue and long tails.
The in-stock component creates a tension: too little inventory hurts the score, and too much also hurts it through excess. The target is not maximum stock; it is the right stock for the demand you can actually forecast.
The fastest levers
Stranded inventory is the cheapest fix: a listing error can leave units unsellable and counted against you. Audit stranded reports weekly. Excess is next: remove, liquidate or bundle the units that will not sell before the next storage cycle.
Do not chase the score with a one-off cleanup and then return to the same buying pattern. The threshold recurs quarterly, and the score reflects behaviour over time. Fix the reorder rule and the assortment, not just the number.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good IPI score?
Amazon publishes a quarterly threshold rather than a universal good score. A score above the current threshold avoids the associated storage limits.
How often does the score update?
It updates regularly, but the storage consequences are applied on a quarterly cycle. Check the date of the current threshold.
Does IPI affect fees?
It can affect storage limits and, through them, the cost of holding inventory. It is not a direct fee line by itself.
Can I improve the score quickly?
Removing stranded and excess units can move it within a cycle. In-stock rate and sell-through improve over a longer window.
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