Capacity
Definition of 'Capacity'The maximum level of output of goods and/or services that a given system can potentially produce over a set period of time. In most cases, it is unlikely that any system will operate at full capacity for prolonged periods, because natural inefficiencies and other factors decrease potential output. |
|
Investopedia explains 'Capacity'The widget manufacturer may be able to produce 150,000 widgets in a month. However, due to downtime because of equipment maintenance and worker illness, only about 130,000 widgets can actually be produced per month. Over the long run, a business can increase its capacity and output by acquiring more factors of productions. For example, if market demand for widgets spikes, the widget manufacturer can buy more equipment and hire more workers, and thus increase its capacity to 175,000 widgets per month. |
Related Definitions
Articles Of Interest
-
Doing More With Less: The Sales-Per-Employee Ratio
If used properly, this ratio can give you insight into a company's productivity and financial health. -
Economics Basics
Learn economics principles such as the relationship of supply and demand, elasticity, utility, and more! -
Ratio Analysis Tutorial
If you don't know how to evaluate a company's present performance and its possible future performance, you need to learn how to analyze ratios. -
What is a monopoly?
Monopoly is a fun family game, but in real life, a monopoly can be dangerous to a country's economy. A monopoly occurs when an industry or sector has only one producer of goods or retailer for ... -
Weighted Average Cost Of Capital (WACC)
Weighted average cost of capital may be hard to calculate, but it's a solid way to measure investment quality -
Capital Expenditures (CAPEX)
Learn more about what it costs to produce goods. -
Working Capital
Working capital is one of the basic metrics used to evaluate a company's financial health. Find out what it can tell you about a stock and learn how to calculate it. -
What is the difference between "hard money" and "soft money"?
Hard money and soft money are terms that are often used to describe coin money and paper money, respectively. However, these terms are also used to refer to political contributions in the United ...
Free Annual Reports