Glossary
What is Days Payable Outstanding (DPO)?
Last updated July 2026
Definition
Days payable outstanding (DPO) is the average time a company takes to pay suppliers. Higher DPO holds cash longer and shortens the cash conversion cycle.
Also known as: DPO
DPO is one of the three levers of the cash conversion cycle, alongside inventory days and receivable days.
But inventory days (DSI) is usually the biggest lever, which is why excess reduction dominates working-capital work.
Part of Working capital & inventory turns.
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