5S Audit Checklist: Free Template With Scoring per Area
Free 5S audit checklist with 25 questions and a 0–4 score for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. Includes fill-in guide and example.
Short answer
A 5S audit checklist scores how well a work area applies the five S's: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. This free 5S audit checklist contains 25 questions with a 0–4 score, a total out of 100 and an action list. Use it monthly per area. Actarion turns it into a guided digital audit with photos and trends.
Why does 5S fade after the kick-off?
- The workshop was a big clean-up, but no standard followed.
- Audits are done by different people with different criteria.
- Findings are noted but nobody owns the actions.
- Scores are not visible on the floor, so nobody feels ownership.
What is a 5S audit and when do you do it?
5S is a lean method for workplace organization. A 5S audit is a short, scored inspection of one area against fixed criteria. Do it monthly per area, rotate auditors, and post the score on the team board. The audit is the "Sustain" engine: without it, areas drift back.
The 5S audit checklist
Header: Area ______ · Auditor ______ · Date ______ · Previous score ______
Score per question: 0 = not in place · 1 = started · 2 = partly · 3 = mostly · 4 = fully in place
| # | 5S | Question | Score (0–4) | Finding / photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sort | Only items needed for current work are in the area | ||
| 2 | Sort | No unused tools, materials or equipment | ||
| 3 | Sort | No personal items outside designated places | ||
| 4 | Sort | Red-tag area exists and is processed regularly | ||
| 5 | Sort | Notice boards contain only current information | ||
| 6 | Set in order | Every item has a fixed, labeled place | ||
| 7 | Set in order | Tools are on shadow boards or marked locations | ||
| 8 | Set in order | Floor markings for walkways, storage and WIP are clear | ||
| 9 | Set in order | Min/max levels are visible for materials | ||
| 10 | Set in order | Items are within easy reach at point of use | ||
| 11 | Shine | Floors, machines and benches are clean | ||
| 12 | Shine | No leaks of oil, air or product | ||
| 13 | Shine | Cleaning equipment is available and in its place | ||
| 14 | Shine | Cleaning is combined with inspection (defects tagged) | ||
| 15 | Shine | Sources of dirt are identified and addressed | ||
| 16 | Standardize | A 5S standard with photos is posted for this area | ||
| 17 | Standardize | Cleaning and inspection schedule is posted and followed | ||
| 18 | Standardize | Labels and colors are consistent with site standard | ||
| 19 | Standardize | Visual controls show normal vs. abnormal at a glance | ||
| 20 | Standardize | Work instructions are current and at the workstation | ||
| 21 | Sustain | Previous audit actions are closed | ||
| 22 | Sustain | The team can explain the 5S standard of the area | ||
| 23 | Sustain | 5S score trend is visible on the team board | ||
| 24 | Sustain | 5S is part of daily routines (start or end of shift) | ||
| 25 | Sustain | Management walks the area and checks 5S regularly | ||
| Total (max. 100) |
Actions
| # | Finding | Action | Owner | Due date | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | |||||
| [ ] |
How do you fill in the 5S audit?
- 1Walk, don't sit. Do the audit in the area, with a team member present.
- 2Score honestly. Use the definitions; a 4 means fully in place with no exceptions.
- 3Photograph findings. Photos make actions concrete and show progress next time.
- 4Limit actions. Pick three to five actions with an owner and due date, not twenty.
- 5Rotate auditors. Cross-audits between areas prevent blind spots. Calibrate together once a quarter.
- 6Show the trend. Post total and per-S scores on the team board.
Example (assembly cell 4)
| 5S | Score (max. 20) | Main finding |
|---|---|---|
| Sort | 16 | Old fixtures under bench |
| Set in order | 12 | Torque wrench missing from shadow board |
| Shine | 15 | Oil leak on press, not tagged |
| Standardize | 10 | No 5S standard posted |
| Sustain | 9 | 3 of 5 actions from last audit open |
| Total | 62 / 100 |
From paper to digital with Actarion
- Guided audit: the auditor follows each question on a tablet, with a reference photo of the standard.
- Photo per finding: findings are documented instantly and linked to actions.
- Trends: scores per area and per S are tracked over time without manual spreadsheets.
- Standard at the workplace: the 5S standard and cleaning routines become AR-guided instructions for the team.
See digital checklists.
Frequently asked questions
Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain (in Japanese: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu, shitsuke).
Monthly per area is common, with short daily or weekly self-checks by the team.
A rotating auditor from another area, together with a member of the audited team.
There is no universal benchmark. Focus on the trend per area and close the actions.
