> ## 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 Checkouts: Track Checkout Intent

> Track how many visitors initiate checkout. Use Initiate Checkouts to measure purchase intent and optimize your checkout funnel.

<Tip>
  Initiate Checkouts counts the number of times visitors begin the checkout process by loading the checkout page.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Initiate Checkouts** = **COUNT** ( Checkout Page Loads )
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                  | Definition                                              |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Checkout Page Loads** | Number of times the checkout page is loaded by visitors |

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

***

## Example

Your store had **3,247 checkout initiations** in April, up from 2,891 in March.

| Week   | Initiate Checkouts | Change |
| ------ | ------------------ | ------ |
| Week 1 | 782                | —      |
| Week 2 | 845                | +8.1%  |
| Week 3 | 801                | −5.2%  |
| Week 4 | 819                | +2.2%  |

***

## How It Works

The Upstack Pixel fires an event each time a visitor loads your checkout page. Initiate Checkouts counts these events to measure how many visitors reach the checkout step, regardless of whether they complete a purchase.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                              | Action                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Measuring checkout funnel performance | Compare Initiate Checkouts to purchases to calculate checkout completion rate |
| Evaluating cart abandonment           | High initiations with low purchases indicates checkout friction               |
| Assessing ad campaign quality         | Campaigns driving more checkout initiations show stronger purchase intent     |
| A/B testing cart changes              | Track if cart modifications improve checkout initiation rates                 |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                              | Relationship                                  |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| [Add to Carts](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/add-to-carts)   | Precedes checkout initiation in the funnel    |
| [Purchases](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversion/purchases)         | Measures completed conversions from checkout  |
| [View Contents](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/view-contents) | Earlier funnel stage showing product interest |

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