Free AQL Sampling Table (Excel)

Free Tool · No credit card · Excel format Free AQL Sampling Table (Excel) The exact sampling table importers use for factory inspections in China — batch sizes, sample sizes, Accept/Reject numbers (ISO 2859-1), plus the 4 inspection stages and how to read a result. Get the Free Excel Template How it worksUse it in 3 steps 1 Look up your batch Find your order size in the table → read the sample size (n) and Ac/Re numbers for AQL 2.5 and 4.0. 2 Inspect the sample The inspector draws a random sample and checks the 6 final checkpoints: packaging, appearance, function, dimensions, quantity, labeling. 3 Pass or fail Count defects by severity and compare with Ac/Re: defects ≤ Ac → ship. Defects ≥ Re → rework and re-inspect. Why this table mattersInspect 200 units, not 5,000 AQL (Acceptable Quality Level, ISO 2859-1) is the international sampling standard used for factory inspections. Instead of checking every unit of a 5,000-piece order, you sample 200 units and pass or fail the batch on the number of defects found. This table tells you exactly how many to sample and how many defects are allowed — the same numbers professional inspection companies use. Preview: AQL sampling table (General Inspection Level II) Batch size Sample (n) AQL 2.5 Major (Ac/Re) AQL 4.0 Minor (Ac/Re) 91 – 150201 / 22 / 3 151 – 280322 / 33 / 4 281 – 500503 / 45 / 6 501 – 1,200805 / 67 / 8 1,201 – 3,2001257 / 810 / 11 3,201 – 10,00020010 / 1114 / 15 10,001 – 35,00031514 / 1521 / 22 4 inspection stages PPI, DUPRO, PSI and loading supervision — when each happens and what gets checked. How to read a result Pass / Pass with Condition / Fail — and exactly what to do for each outcome. Ready to use 4 worksheets, colour-coded, with step-by-step usage instructions included. AQL FAQFrequently asked questions What is AQL in quality inspection? AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) is an international sampling standard (ISO 2859-1) used to decide how many units to inspect in a batch and how many defects are allowed. Instead of checking every unit, an inspector draws a random sample and the batch passes or fails based on the number of defects found compared to the Accept (Ac) and Reject (Re) numbers. How many units should I inspect for my order? It depends on your batch size and inspection level. Under General Inspection Level II: a 91-150 unit order → sample 20; 501-1,200 → sample 80; 3,201-10,000 → sample 200; 10,001-35,000 → sample 315. Use the lookup table in the free Excel template for the full range. What is the difference between AQL 2.5 and AQL 4.0? AQL 2.5 is a stricter limit typically used for major defects (function, safety, wrong specification) — fewer defects are allowed. AQL 4.0 is looser and typically used for minor defects (cosmetic issues). Many buyers use Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0 as the industry default. What does Ac and Re mean in AQL? Ac = Accept number: if defects found are ≤ Ac, the batch passes. Re = Reject number: if defects found are ≥ Re, the batch fails. For example, AQL 2.5 on a 200-unit sample shows Ac/Re = 10/11: 10 or fewer major defects pass, 11 or more fail. Is AQL the same as a percentage of defects? No. AQL is not a simple percentage like "2.5% defective allowed". It is a sampling-and-judgment rule: based on batch size and inspection level you look up how many units to sample and how many defects are allowed, then the batch passes or fails on those exact numbers. How much does a pre-shipment inspection cost in China? A standard pre-shipment inspection in China typically costs $150-$400 per day depending on location, product category and inspector seniority, with volume discounts for regular orders. It is roughly 1% of a typical order value — far less than a rejected container. Who decides the AQL values — buyer or factory? The buyer decides, and the values should be written into the contract or order confirmation BEFORE inspection day. Factories often suggest a looser standard. If unsure, use the industry default: Major AQL 2.5 / Minor AQL 4.0. Do I need an inspection for every order? For a mature supplier and a stable product you have ordered repeatedly, PSI alone is usually enough. For a first-time factory, large order, or safety-related product, consider PPI + PSI, or add DUPRO during production. Download the free template Enter your details and the Excel file will download automatically. We only use your email to send sourcing resources — no spam. Thanks! Your AQL template is on its way. Want to make sure you apply it correctly on your next inspection — and catch issues before they cost you? Talk to our QC team on WhatsApp Get a free QC quote Already have an order? Send us your product & quantities and we'll advise on inspection. Prefer to talk? Chat on WhatsApp — free inspection quote within 12 h. Free quote Get a pre-shipment inspection quote Your figures are ready to send — reply within 12 hours with a factory price and a freight estimate. No obligation. Your numbers Your order quantity (units) Get my quote Get factory prices on WhatsApp Keep Learning Go deeper into quality control The AQL table is the first step. Here's what our buyers read next to make sure the inspection actually protects their order. View all guides Inspection Pre-Shipment Inspection in China: Full Guide What PSI covers, how AQL sampling works step by step, and what the report should show. Read guide Supplier Check China Factory Audit: The Complete Guide How to verify a factory is real before you send a deposit — the red flags that catch fakes. Read guide Electronics QC 7-15 Day Burn-in Test Before Shipping How we stress-test hardware for days to catch defects that a one-off inspection can't. Read guide Next step Sampled it. Now record it The AQL table tells you how many units to inspect. The inspection report template is where you write down what you found — the RFQ template is what you send before any of it starts, and the certification lookup tells you what the goods must be certified to. Inspection Checklist The 51 checks to work through on site, in order — before you write the report. Free and printable. Open the checklist Inspection Report Template The fill-in report: 6 checkpoints, defect log, photo index and a signed PASS/FAIL. Get the template RFQ Template Send the same inquiry file to every supplier and get comparable quotes. Get the template Export Certification Lookup What the goods must be certified to before they ship — by category and market, with the citation. Check your product China → Europe Shipping Calculator Inspect before you ship: the 51 checks our inspectors work through on site — cartons, appearance, function, labels and sampling. Free and printable. Price a shipment to Europe Container Loading Checklist The inspection ends on the factory floor — the container is loaded after. 63 checks for container condition, the carton count, dunnage and the seal record. Get the loading checklist Factory Audit Checklist Before the first order: 84 checks on licences, machines, real capacity, QC records, testing, safety and the red flags — with an automatic audit score. Open the audit checklist Why is this AQL table free? Because it is the tool our own inspectors work from. Every number — lot size, sample size, and the Accept/Reject pair at AQL 1.5, 2.5 and 4.0 — matches ISO 2859-1, the sampling standard factory inspections are run to worldwide. No signup, no email wall: use it on your next order whether you ever work with us or not. Source and date: published by the QC team at Sourcing Agent China, Guangzhou; last reviewed in September 2026 against ISO 2859-1 (GB/T 2828.1). The team has worked 12 years in the Pearl River Delta, verified 2,000+ suppliers and inspected for 3,000+ buyers. Would you rather we ran the inspection? Our inspectors in Guangzhou apply this table on site and send photo and video evidence with an Accept/Reject result in a written report. Send us the product and quantity — you get a quote within 12 hours. Get a QC quote in 12 h See the QC inspection service See all 12 free tools