##  [Little's Law](/littles-law) 

  ##  [Little's Law](https://engineering.quantumdictionary.io/littles-law-0) 

  

 [![Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-01/Engineering%20%26%20Applied%20Technologies.png.webp?itok=_IKO7_-n)](/topic-specific-dictionaries/engineering-applied-technologies)



**Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

A queueing identity stating that for a stable system observed over the long run, the long‑run average number L of items in the system equals the long‑run average effective arrival rate λ multiplied by the average time W an item spends in the system: L = λW; 'stable' means long‑run arrival and departure rates are equal and averages are well‑defined.

 

 

 

 

 





 

 



 ##  [Little's Law](https://information.quantumdictionary.io/littles-law-1) 

  

 [![Information & Communication Dictionary](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-01/Information%20%26%20Communication.png.webp?itok=g4emS-T7)](/topic-specific-dictionaries/information-communication)



**Information & Communication Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

A general relation in queueing systems stating that, in steady state for a stable system with conserved flow, the long‑run time‑average number of items L in the system equals the long‑run average arrival rate λ times the long‑run average time W an item spends in the system: L = λ W.