Macha
CX & Support Metrics

Average Handle Time (AHT)

Definition

Average Handle Time (AHT) is the average total time an agent spends handling a single customer interaction, including talk or chat time, hold time, and after-contact work.

Auch bekannt als: AHThandle time

How to calculate it

AHT = (total talk/handle time + total hold time + total after-contact work) ÷ number of interactions. After-contact work (ACW) is the wrap-up time an agent spends logging notes or updating the ticket once the conversation ends.

Example: over 100 calls, agents spend 500 minutes talking, 100 minutes on hold, and 150 minutes on wrap-up. AHT = (500 + 100 + 150) ÷ 100 = 7.5 minutes per interaction.

Why it matters

AHT is a core efficiency and staffing metric — it feeds directly into workforce forecasting and cost-per-contact. But it should never be optimized in isolation: cutting handle time by rushing customers hurts quality and reopen rates. The goal is lower effort, not shorter conversations at any cost.

Häufig gefragt

What counts as after-contact work in AHT?

The wrap-up tasks an agent does once the conversation ends — writing notes, tagging, updating the CRM, or scheduling a follow-up — before they take the next contact.

Is a lower AHT always better?

Not necessarily. A very low AHT can mean agents are rushing and creating repeat contacts. Balance AHT against CSAT, first-contact resolution, and reopen rate.

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