# Stock Counts
> Source: https://development.fuze-store.com/docs/store/inventory/stock-counts

# Stock Counts

A stock count (also called a stock take) is a physical count of what you actually have on hand, compared against what the system thinks you have. Running counts regularly keeps your stock levels accurate and surfaces shrinkage, miscounts, or unrecorded waste.

## How a Stock Count Works

| Status | What It Means |
| --- | --- |
| **Draft** | The count has been created but not started. |
| **In Progress** | You are recording counted quantities for each product. |
| **Completed** | The count is finished and variances are applied to stock. |
| **Cancelled** | The count was abandoned without changing stock. |

## Running a Count

Go to **Inventory → Stock Counts** and tap **New Count**. Choose the location you are counting.

Tap **Start**. The count moves to **In Progress** and lists the products to be counted.

For each product, enter the quantity you physically counted on the shelf. The system shows the expected quantity alongside so you can spot differences.

A **variance** is the difference between the expected and counted quantity. A negative variance means you have less than expected (shrinkage); a positive variance means more.

Tap **Complete**. The system adjusts each product's stock to match your counted quantities and records the variance for your records.

Count during quiet hours or when the store is closed so stock isn't moving while you count.

## Reviewing Variances

After completing a count, review the variances to understand where stock was lost or gained. Large or repeated variances on the same product are worth investigating — they can point to theft, breakage, or receiving errors.

## Related Guides

- [Stock Tracking](/docs/store/inventory/stock-tracking)
- [Purchase Orders](/docs/store/inventory/purchase-orders)
- [Inventory Overview](/docs/store/inventory/overview)
- [Reports Overview](/docs/store/reports/overview)