AQL Sampling Calculator in Excel

Acceptable Quality Level Tables | Single Sampling | Zero-Based Sampling

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is the maximum percent defective (or maximum number of defects per 100 units) that can be considered acceptable. AQL is measured in defects per 100 units.

QI Macros statistical add-in for Excel contains these AQL Calculators

Acceptable Quality Level - Single Sampling

Acceptable Quality Level - Zero Defect Sampling

AQL Zero-based Acceptance Sampling usine QI Macros

To calculate sample size using AQL, you need to know:

Lot or Batch Size of incoming or outgoing product
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL)
Input value of 1 means 1% or 1 defect per 100 units.
Inspection Level (I, II, III - usually level II)

AQL Sampling Calculator - Single Sampling

QI Macros calculator has drop down menus for each variable. Just click on each cell in column B to access the menus.

Step 1 - Select the lot or batch size by clicking on cell B3 and then the pull-down menu.

Step 2 - Set the AQL Level (typically 1, but can vary) by clicking on cell B4 and then the pull-down menu.

Step 3 - Set the Inspection Level (typically II) in cell B5.

aql-inspection-level-image

NOTE: ALWAYS use the click-able, drop-down menus when entering your Lot, AQL, and Inspection Level.

The template will look up the Sample Size (5) and accept/reject levels (0/1) from the AQL Table. The lot size and inspection level give the letter code "C" which gives a sample size of 5 and accept/reject of 0/1. This means take five samples and if one is defective, reject the lot otherwise accept the lot.

AQL Table Lookup

Our reference for the AQL Acceptance Table (Single Sampling) is: MIL-STD-105E.

AQL Sampling Calculator - Zero-Defect Sampling

Zero-Based Acceptance Sampling requires that you accept on zero; reject on 1.

There is no other option. It's a different table than standard AQL Single Sampling table, which might tell you, in some cases, to accept on 2 and reject on 3 defects.

AQL Zero-based Acceptance Sampling usine QI Macros

Step 1 - Select the lot or batch size by clicking on the pull-down menu in B3.

Step 2 - Set the AQL Level (typically 1, but can vary) by clicking on the pull-down menu in B4.

The template will then look up the Sample Size (13), using the AQL level, based on: MIL-STD-1916.

AQL Zero-based Acceptance sampling with QI Macros

Note: Zero-based acceptance sampling gives a higher sample size than the AQL Table, but may require fewer samples than AQL sampling.

QI Macros AQL Sampling Tables

QI Macros is installed as a new tab on Excel's menu. To access the tables, click on QI Macros menu, select the Calculators drop-down found in the Lean Six Sigma Templates portion of the software, and then open Sample Size Calculator.