# Create, manage and review stock counts in Shopify admin

By Steven Van · 2026-10-20

Staff can count stock by barcode scan or manual entry, in admin or POS, and managers approve variances before inventory levels change.

Shopify admin now has [stock counts](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/shopify>), a way to check physical inventory against the on-hand quantities recorded in Shopify. The [help center page](<https://help.shopify.com//manual/products/inventory/inventory-counts>) describes a count as a record of the stock physically counted at one store location, checked against what Shopify has on record for each product.

## How a count works

A count is created by choosing a location and the products to count. Products can be added by search or by barcode scanning, and counts can be scheduled in admin. Staff record quantities with a barcode scanner or by entering them manually. A manager can then review the results and approve them before inventory levels change.

Approving a count applies the difference between the counted and expected quantities. Each resulting change is recorded in the adjustment history.

## Staff and permissions

- Counts can be assigned to staff, who can complete them in admin or in the Shopify POS app. Counting in POS is available at locations with a **Shopify POS Pro** subscription.

- Several staff members can contribute to the same count without overriding each other.

- Admin shows who recorded each quantity and tracks progress from creation to completion.

- New permissions settings control who can perform counts and who can review and approve them.

## Reviewing variances

Before approving, reviewers see the variances between counted and recorded quantities. Counts are managed from the Inventory, Stock counts page in Shopify admin. Shopify positions this as a replacement for counting in spreadsheets or other manual workarounds, with a record of what was counted, who counted it, and what changed.

![Shopify](<https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=shopify.com&sz=128>)

Shopify

Build and run an online store — e-commerce platform with themes, payments, inventory, and AI tools for creators selling products.

[View Shopify →](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/shopify>)

[Original source](<https://changelog.shopify.com/posts/create-manage-and-review-stock-counts-in-shopify-admin>)

[Read Create, manage and review stock counts in Shopify admin on Creators Toolbox](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/shopify-create-manage-and-review-stock-counts-in-shopify-admin>)

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