# Count your stock with the SmartPOS Business app

> Run a stock count (stocktake) by scanning with the SmartPOS Business app, even offline, review missing and extra items, then update stock in one step.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/stock-counts/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

A **stock count** (stocktake) checks what is really on your shelves against what SmartPOS Hub expects, and fixes the difference in one step. Counting is done in the **SmartPOS Business** app: staff scan each item with the phone camera or a scanner, even without internet, and a manager reviews the result before stock changes.

**Note:** 
Stock counts live in the **SmartPOS Business** app only. The web back office has no stock-count screen. On the web, remove missing stock with a [stock adjustment](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/stock-adjustments/) and add found stock with [opening stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/opening-stock/).

## Before you start

- The **SmartPOS Business** app is installed and you are signed in (see [Install and sign in](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-app/install-and-sign-in/)).
- Your role can adjust stock. To add extra (found) stock, it also needs the opening stock permission.
- Pick a quiet time if you can. Selling during a count is allowed, but fewer movements make the review easier.

## How it works

![Stock home in the Business app with the Count stock button](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/stock-home.CrCdi7ki.png)
![How stock count works: snapshot, count even offline, review, missing stock is written off, extra stock becomes found stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-how-stock-count-works.CKf7rUhN.png)
*Open Stock › Count stock. The help sheet explains the four steps.*

1. **Snapshot.** When you start, the app saves what the system expects at this location (or one category).
2. **Count, even offline.** Scan each item, use **–** and **+**, or type the quantity.
3. **Review.** Before anything changes you see what is missing and what is extra.
4. **Update stock.** Missing stock is written off; extra stock becomes found stock.

## Run a count

1. In the app, open **Stock** and tap **Count stock**. The **Stock counts** list opens.
2. Tap **New stock count**. Choose the **Location** and, to count only part of the store, **Only this category**.
3. Optional: turn on **Blind count** to hide expected quantities while counting.
4. Tap **Start counting**. You need a connection for this step only.
5. Scan each item with **Scan**, or search the list and use **–** / **+**. The bar at the top shows how many items are counted and how many **differences** there are so far. Filter by **To count**, **Counted** or **Differences**.
6. When the area is done, tap **Review**.

![Stock counts screen with no counts yet and a New stock count button](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-stock-counts-empty.DktCDRd3.png)
![New stock count sheet with location, Only this category, Blind count switch and Start counting](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-new-stock-count.D_6B5c7e.png)
*Start a new count for a location or one category.*

![Counting screen showing 2 of 40 counted, differences and plus and minus buttons per item](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/stock-count.CFkQZTjn.png)
![Blind count showing items without expected quantities](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-blind-count.IL96JG7D.png)
*Normal count (left) shows the expected quantity and the difference; a blind count (right) hides it.*

## Review and update stock

The **Review count** screen shows **Missing** and **Extra** with their value at cost, and explains what will happen. Check the lists, then:

- Leave **Items I didn't count are gone** off unless you really counted everything in this area. When on, every uncounted item is treated as zero.
- Tap **Update stock** and confirm **Update stock with this count?**

![Review count with 16 missing items worth 72 at cost, 0 extra, and the Update stock button](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-review-count.1Bvv1xvs.png)
![Count result posted with a stock adjustment reference and the missing items written off](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/app-count-result.D7fwkV9q.png)
*Review before anything changes; the result shows the posted adjustment reference.*

## What happens after you update stock

- **Missing** items are written off in one stock adjustment (reference like **SA2026/0042**), costed **FIFO** or **LIFO** as set for your business. You find it on the web in **Stock Adjustment › List Stock Adjustments**.
- **Extra** items are added as found stock at the last purchase cost.
- Sales made while you counted are kept: only the difference from the snapshot is booked.
- The count moves from **In progress** to **Posted** in the **Stock counts** list.

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Count one aisle or category at a time with **Only this category**; it is faster to review and less likely to miss shelves.
- Use **Blind count** for staff counts and spot checks; it gives more honest results.
- Deleting an unfinished count only removes the counted quantities on the phone. Nothing changes in stock.
- To check stock batch by batch (lot numbers and expiry dates), use the **Lot Report** described in [Expiry and batches](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/expiry-and-batches/).

## Related pages

  - [Stock adjustments](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/stock-adjustments/)
  - [Products and stock in the Business app](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-app/products-and-stock/)
  - [Offline sales in the app](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-app/offline-sales/)
  - [Stock reports](https://docs.smartposhub.com/reports/stock-reports/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do I do a stock count?

In the SmartPOS Business app, under Stock › Count stock. The web back office has no separate stock-count screen; there you correct stock with Stock Adjustment and opening stock.

### Does counting work without internet?

Yes. You need a connection only to start the count, because the app loads what the system expects. Counting itself works offline, and counts stay on the phone until you update stock.

### Can I keep selling while we count?

Yes. When you update stock, only the difference between what you counted and what was expected at the start is booked, so sales and purchases made during the count are kept.

### What is a blind count?

A count where the expected quantities are hidden from the person counting, so they count what is really on the shelf instead of confirming the number on screen.

### What happens to missing and extra items?

Missing items are written off in one stock adjustment, costed FIFO or LIFO as set for your business. Extra items are added as found stock at the last purchase cost.

### Can I count only one shelf or category?

Yes. When you start a new count, pick the location and, under Only this category, the category you want to count.

### What does Items I didn't count are gone do?

It treats every item you did not count as zero and writes it off. Turn it on only after you have counted everything in that location or category.