> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Initiate Checkout Rate: Cart to Checkout Conversion

> Track your initiate checkout rate to measure cart-to-checkout conversion. Calculate the percentage of add to carts that proceed to checkout.

<Tip>
  Initiate Checkout Rate measures the percentage of add to cart events that proceed to checkout initiation.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Initiate Checkout Rate** = ( [**Initiate Checkouts**](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/initiate-checkouts) ÷ [**Add to Carts**](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/add-to-carts) ) × 100
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                            | Definition                       |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| [**Initiate Checkouts**](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/initiate-checkouts) | Total checkout initiation events |
| [**Add to Carts**](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/add-to-carts)             | Total add to cart events         |

| Metadata        |                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Type**        | Percentage              |
| **Data Source** | [Upstack Pixel](/pixel) |
| **Aggregation** | Ratio                   |

***

## Example

Your store had **2,500 add to cart events** and **750 initiate checkout events** last week.

| Metric                     | Value   | Calculation          |
| -------------------------- | ------- | -------------------- |
| Add to Carts               | 2,500   | Cart additions       |
| Initiate Checkouts         | 750     | Checkout initiations |
| **Initiate Checkout Rate** | **30%** | (750 ÷ 2,500) × 100  |

***

## How It Works

Initiate Checkout Rate divides checkout initiations by add to carts and multiplies by 100 to express as a percentage. This metric reveals how effectively your store converts shopping intent into checkout behavior. Higher rates indicate a smoother cart-to-checkout experience.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                    | Action                                            |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Identifying funnel friction | Low rates indicate checkout barriers              |
| A/B testing cart experience | Compare rates across cart page variants           |
| Diagnosing conversion drops | Sudden rate changes signal UX or pricing issues   |
| Optimizing checkout flow    | Improve rates by simplifying the path to checkout |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                        | Relationship                       |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| [Initiate Checkouts](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/initiate-checkouts) | Numerator in this calculation      |
| [Add to Carts](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/add-to-carts)             | Denominator in this calculation    |
| [Add to Cart Rate](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/add-to-cart-rate)     | Previous step in funnel conversion |

[See all Engagement metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement)