Sales Cycle Length

What Is Sales Cycle Length?

Sales Cycle Length refers to the average amount of time it takes for a business to close a deal, starting from the very first interaction with a potential customer and ending with a finalized agreement. This metric helps businesses understand how long it typically takes to convert prospects into paying customers, allowing for better forecasting, resource planning, and process optimization.

How to Calculate Sales Cycle Length

  • Record the date of the first contact with each prospect.
  • Record the date when each deal is officially closed.
  • Calculate the total number of days between first contact and closing for each deal.
  • Add up the total days for all closed deals within the period.
  • Divide the total number of days by the number of deals closed to find the average length.

Formula

Sales Cycle Length = Total Number of Days to Close All Deals ÷ Number of Deals

Benchmark

Average Sales Cycle Length can vary widely based on industry, deal size, and sales process complexity. In B2B markets, a typical average is around 84 days, though high-value enterprise deals may take significantly longer, while smaller transactions can close faster.

Related Metrics of Sales Cycle Length

  • Conversion Rate
  • Lead Response Time
  • Pipeline Velocity
  • Win Rate

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FAQ's

It helps sales teams forecast revenue more accurately, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency in the sales process.

Not always. While shorter cycles may indicate efficiency, rushing deals can reduce quality and lead to poor customer fit.

Yes, by improving lead qualification, streamlining sales processes, and enhancing customer engagement, businesses can often shorten their average cycle.