This is the lookup page for aql sample size: lot size in, sample size and accept/reject numbers out, for General Inspection Level II, normal single sampling under ISO 2859-1 / ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. For how to read the full chart’s arrows and switching rules, use the guide to reading an AQL chart.
Step 1 - Find your sample size (General Inspection Level II)
| Lot size | Code letter | Sample size |
|---|---|---|
| 2-8 | A | 2 |
| 9-15 | B | 3 |
| 16-25 | C | 5 |
| 26-50 | D | 8 |
| 51-90 | E | 13 |
| 91-150 | F | 20 |
| 151-280 | G | 32 |
| 281-500 | H | 50 |
| 501-1,200 | J | 80 |
| 1,201-3,200 | K | 125 |
| 3,201-10,000 | L | 200 |
| 10,001-35,000 | M | 315 |
| 35,001-150,000 | N | 500 |
| 150,001-500,000 | P | 800 |
| 500,001 and over | Q | 1,250 |
The sample size AQL lookup is deliberately mechanical: use the lot size, not the order value or the number of cartons. Find the row that contains your lot size, read its code letter, then take the sample size. The sample size is the number of units inspected from the lot; it is not the number of defects allowed. AQL quality inspection depends on using the same lot definition consistently across the order.
Step 2 - Read the accept / reject numbers
| Code letter | Sample size | AQL 1.0 Ac/Re | AQL 1.5 Ac/Re | AQL 2.5 Ac/Re | AQL 4.0 Ac/Re |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | 50 | 1 / 2 | 2 / 3 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 |
| J | 80 | 2 / 3 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 |
| K | 125 | 3 / 4 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 |
| L | 200 | 5 / 6 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 | 14 / 15 |
| M | 315 | 7 / 8 | 10 / 11 | 14 / 15 | 21 / 22 |
For code G (sample 32), AQL 2.5 accepts at 2 and rejects at 3; AQL 4.0 accepts at 3 and rejects at 4.
Ac/Re means acceptance number / rejection number. For each defect class, compare the number of defects found in the sample with the Ac and Re values. If the count is equal to or lower than Ac, the lot is accepted for that class. If the count reaches Re, the lot is rejected for that class. The same sample size is used for each defect class; the Ac/Re pair changes. This extract covers common code letters; if your lot maps to A-F or N-Q, use the full ISO 2859-1 / ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 table.
Two worked examples
Example 1: 200-unit lot. A lot of 200 units falls in the 151-280 row, code G, sample size 32. At AQL 2.5, the lot is accepted with 2 or fewer major defects and rejected at 3. At AQL 4.0, the lot is accepted with 3 or fewer minor defects and rejected at 4.
Example 2: 1,000-unit lot. A lot of 1,000 units falls in the 501-1,200 row, code J, sample size 80. At AQL 2.5, accept at 5 and reject at 6. At AQL 4.0, accept at 7 and reject at 8.
In both examples, inspect the full sample and record defects by class separately. Do not combine major and minor defects unless your agreed plan defines a combined class.
Step 3 - Fix the plan in the order terms
The table only works if the sampling plan was agreed before the goods were made. Write three items into the order terms: the inspection level, the AQL per defect class, and the sampling standard. General Inspection Level II is the default. Level I uses smaller samples and may fit low-risk, homogeneous lots; Level III uses larger samples. Our default is Major 2.5 / Minor 4.0. Stricter levels such as 0.65 or 1.0 are available on request. Critical defects (safety hazards, regulatory violations) are not accepted: shipment stops, regardless of the table.
Sampling follows ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 / ISO 2859-1. The plan also records the checkpoints: pre-production sample (PPS) confirmation, at least two in-production checks, and final OQC before shipment. The final OQC is normally the pre-shipment inspection, and the final inspection report is sent to you for confirmation at least 3 days before shipment. If you need our team to run the checks and coordinate the plan, see AQL inspection service.
Defect handling follows the class: Minor defects are fixed on site, repacked or relabelled; Major defects are reworked, shortfalls replaced, and re-inspection before release; Critical defects stop shipment, quarantine the batch, and trigger root-cause review (8D, 5 Whys, CAPA), re-make or supplier change if needed. The inspection report is a PDF with high-resolution photos, video, defect list, corrective recommendations and re-inspection records. Buyers may follow inspections by live video. Samples and records for every batch are retained at least 12 months.
AQL sampling does not replace product testing. Testing and documents are arranged per product, per destination market, per batch. For inspection, we coordinate the plan and can coordinate an agency you designate, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV or Intertek. For testing, we coordinate accredited (ISO 17025) laboratories; we are not a testing laboratory and do not issue certificates or test reports in our own name. Laboratory reports are issued by the laboratory and carry its report number. Certificates available upon request.