How Many Entry Gates Do You Need? A Free Check-In Calculator
Work out gates, check-in staff and queue times for any event with a free calculator, and see how QR, wristbands and face check-in change the numbers.
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Nothing ruins an event faster than a 40-minute queue. The free Event Check-In Calculator tells you how many gates and staff you need, and how long people will wait if you open fewer.
The formula
Gates needed = peak arrivals per minute ÷ guests per gate per minute
Peak arrivals are your average arrival rate times a peak factor, because people bunch up before doors open or the headline act starts.
Typical speeds per gate
| Method | Guests / minute |
|---|---|
| Paper list | ~2 |
| Kiosk + badge print | ~3 |
| QR scan | ~6 |
| RFID wristband | ~12 |
| Face check-in | ~15 |
Measure your own during rehearsal. Lighting, signal and staff experience all matter.
Example
3,000 guests over 60 minutes with a ×1.5 peak means 75 guests per minute at the busiest moment. With QR you need 13 gates. With face check-in you need 5.
Cut the queue without more gates
- Send tickets on WhatsApp and remind guests two hours before.
- Run separate VIP, box office and accessibility lanes.
- Use scanners that keep working offline.
- Watch scans per gate live and move staff to where the queue is building.
Read more: fast event check-in and face check-in.
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