# Average Handle Time Calculator - Complete Guide

> Calculate average handle time from talk, hold and after-call work, see the agent cost per call, and what a lower AHT is worth each month.

Source: https://edesy.in/docs/tools/voice-ai-tools/average-handle-time-calculator

The [Average Handle Time Calculator](https://edesy.in/tools/average-handle-time-calculator) works out AHT from talk, hold and after-call work (ACW), then shows the agent cost of that handle time and the value of cutting it.

## How to Use

1. Under "What data do you have?", pick **From totals** or **Per call averages**.
2. From totals: enter **Total talk time**, **Total hold time** and **Total after-call work (ACW)**, choose whether **Times are in** minutes or hours, and enter **Calls handled in the same period**.
3. Per call averages: enter minutes and seconds for average talk, hold and ACW.
4. Under "What it costs each month", enter **Calls per month**, **Agent cost per hour** and **Working hours per agent per month**.
5. Under "What a lower AHT is worth", choose **Seconds per call** or **Percent of AHT** and enter the cut.

## Inputs

- **Talk, hold and ACW**: from your dialer or ACD report. ACW is wrap-up: notes, tagging and follow-up.
- **Calls handled**: answered calls only, not abandoned ones.
- **Calls per month**: all calls agents handle in a month. This is separate from the calls figure above.
- **Agent cost per hour**: an example default of 250 rupees. Use your fully loaded cost: salary, benefits, seat and supervision.
- **Working hours per agent per month**: default 160 (8 hours x 20 days). Used only for the FTE figures.

## Reading the results

```
AHT = (talk + hold + after-call work) / calls handled
Cost per call = AHT in hours x agent cost per hour
Monthly cost = calls per month x AHT in hours x agent cost per hour
Saved per month = calls per month x seconds cut / 3600 x agent cost per hour
```

- **Average handle time** in min:sec, with the talk, hold and ACW share of it.
- **Agent hours per month**, the full-time agents that represents, **Cost per call** and **Monthly agent cost of handling**.
- **New AHT**, **Agent hours saved per month**, **Saved per month** (and per year) and **FTE-equivalent saved**.

## Things to know

- Only agent time is costed. Telephony, software and idle time between calls are not included.
- Savings assume saved minutes go to other calls or fewer paid hours. If agents sit idle, nothing is saved.
- A seconds cut cannot exceed the current AHT.
- Cutting AHT by rushing callers can create repeat calls. Check the effect with the FCR calculator before setting a target.

**Related:** [FCR Calculator](https://edesy.in/tools/first-call-resolution-calculator) | [Erlang C Calculator](https://edesy.in/tools/erlang-c-calculator) | [Talk Time Calculator](https://edesy.in/tools/talk-time-calculator)