A 5S audit measures workplace organization across five pillars: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Use this interactive scorecard to rate a work area on 35 criteria and see a score for each pillar plus an overall total out of 175.

The scorecard is free and takes about 15 minutes per work area. Walk the area, score what you see, and use the results to decide what to fix first. Need a paper copy for the floor? Download the printable 5S audit scorecard.

What your 5S score means

Your total out of 175 shows where the work area stands overall. The pillar scores show where to focus. Each pillar has a different maximum, so compare them as percentages. A 15 out of 20 in Sustain (75%) is stronger than a 30 out of 50 in Set in Order (60%).

Total score	Percent	Level	What to do next
140 to 175	80% and up	Sustaining	5S is part of daily work. Keep auditing on schedule and raise the lowest individual criteria one at a time.
105 to 139	60% to 79%	Established	The basics are in place but results vary by shift or person. Standardize and Sustain usually lag here. Post standards, assign weekly duties, and close out findings from the last audit.
70 to 104	40% to 59%	Developing	Some of the area is organized, but it depends on individual habits. Focus on Set in Order: give every item a marked, labeled home and mark aisles and walkways.
0 to 69	Below 40%	Getting started	Start with Sort. Run a red tag event to clear out what the area does not need, then work through the pillars in order.

A single score matters less than the trend. Audit the same area on a regular schedule and track whether the number is moving.

How to run a 5S audit with this scorecard

Pick one work area. Score a single cell, department, or zone. A facility-wide score hides the areas that need the most help.
Walk the area. Score what you see during normal operation, not how the area looks after a cleanup or how it is supposed to run.
Score each criterion from 0 to 5. Zero means no effort or results are visible. Five means the criterion is fully met. Use the same standard every time so audits can be compared.
Record the results. Note the score for each pillar and the total, then post them in the work area where the team can see them.
Pick two or three items to fix. Assign an owner and a date for each. Trying to fix every low score at once usually fixes none of them.
Repeat on a schedule. Audit weekly or every two weeks while a 5S program is new, and monthly once scores hold steady.

What each 5S pillar measures

Sort (6 criteria, 30 points)

Sort checks whether the work area holds only what the job requires. The scorecard rates equipment, tools, furniture, spare parts, and paperwork, and whether tripping hazards have been removed. A low score means unneeded items are taking up space and hiding problems. The usual fix is a red tag event: tag anything that is not clearly needed, move it to a holding area, and decide what to keep. 5S red tags make that process visible and trackable.

Set in Order (10 criteria, 50 points)

Set in Order checks whether everything that remains has a clearly identified place. It carries the most points on the scorecard because it covers the most ground: equipment, tools, containers, and paperwork, plus PPE areas, stop switches and breakers, fire suppression equipment, emergency exits, and marked aisles, forklift lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Low scores here are usually fixed with visual markings: floor marking tape for aisles and storage locations, labels for bins and shelves, floor signs for hazards and traffic, and tool organization such as foam organizers and pegboards.

Shine (9 criteria, 45 points)

Shine checks cleanliness and whether cleaning is built into the routine. The scorecard rates tools, equipment, work surfaces, walls, floors, paperwork, containers, and signs, then asks whether cleaning equipment is easy to find and a cleaning schedule is posted and used. If the area is clean only after a push, the schedule is the gap. Post it where the work happens with cleaning signs, cleaning labels, or a 5S whiteboard.

Standardize (6 criteria, 30 points)

Standardize checks whether systems are in place to hold the first three pillars. It looks at whether items are returned to their designated areas, maintenance records are visible, waste containers are present, work conditions meet the applicable standards, and results from the last audit are posted and acted on. Low scores mean the area depends on memory instead of visual controls. 5S signs, consistent labels from an industrial label printer, and posted audit results close that gap.

Sustain (4 criteria, 20 points)

Sustain checks whether 5S continues without being pushed. The scorecard asks whether management takes part in audits, an incentive program is active, every team member has weekly 5S duties, and the team makes improvements between audits. This pillar has the fewest points but decides whether the other four scores last. Training and visible reminders help: see the free 5S Guide, Lean and 5S training, and 5S posters.

Looking for supplies for a specific pillar? Shop by 5S step.

5S scorecard FAQ

What is a 5S scorecard?

A 5S scorecard is a checklist that rates a work area against each of the five 5S pillars: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Each criterion gets a numeric score, so results can be compared between audits and between work areas.

How is the 5S score calculated?

This scorecard has 35 criteria, each scored from 0 to 5, for a maximum of 175 points. Sort is worth 30 points, Set in Order 50, Shine 45, Standardize 30, and Sustain 20. The tool totals each pillar and the overall score as you go.

What is a good 5S audit score?

On this scorecard, 140 or higher out of 175 (80%) indicates a 5S program that is holding. Scores between 105 and 139 mean the basics are in place but not yet consistent. The trend across audits matters more than any single score.

How often should you do a 5S audit?

Audit weekly or every two weeks while a 5S program is being rolled out, then monthly once scores hold steady. Audit each work area separately and keep the schedule consistent so results can be compared.

Who should perform a 5S audit?

The area supervisor or 5S lead usually runs the audit, ideally alongside someone from outside the area who will notice what the regular team no longer sees. Rotating auditors and including management keeps scoring honest and shows the program has support.