Is indirect material a variable or fixed cost?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on January 04, 2026
Variable Costs. If the cost object is a product being manufactured, it is likely that direct materials are a variable cost. (If one pound of material is used for each unit, then this direct cost is variable.) However, the product’s indirect manufacturing costs are likely a combination of fixed costs and variable costs.
What type of cost is indirect material?
It is an expense, which is included in Overhead Cost of manufacturing cost, and consists of subsidiary material cost, shop supplies cost, perishable tools and equipment cost. Here the material means the one indirectly or supplementarily consumed.
Is Indirect cost a fixed cost?
Fixed costs are independent of changes in production output or revenues. Fixed costs are considered indirect costs of production. They are not costs incurred directly by the production process, such as parts needed for assembly, but they nonetheless factor into total production costs.
Are direct costs variable?
Direct costs are often variable costs, meaning they fluctuate with production levels such as inventory. However, some costs, such as indirect costs are more difficult to assign to a specific product.
What are examples of indirect materials?
Examples of indirect materials can include:
- Disposable tools.
- Cleaning supplies.
- Glues and adhesives.
- Oils and lubricants.
- Tape.
- Fasteners and fittings.
- Personal protective equipment (helmets, gloves, overalls, etc.)
Are all fixed costs overhead?
Companies need to spend money on producing, marketing, and selling its goods or services—a cost known as overhead. Fixed overhead costs are constant and do not vary as a function of productive output, including items like rent or a mortgage and fixed salaries of employees.
What is direct and indirect material examples?
Direct materials are those that are used directly in the production process and are reflected in the final product. For example, timber would be a direct material in the production of furniture. For example, in furniture production, wood, glue, and nails may be classified as indirect materials.
What are examples of direct and indirect costs?
Examples of direct costs are direct labor, direct materials, commissions, piece rate wages, and manufacturing supplies. Examples of indirect costs are production supervision salaries, quality control costs, insurance, and depreciation.
What type of cost is direct materials?
Direct material costs are the costs of raw materials or parts that go directly into producing products. For example, if Company A is a toy manufacturer, an example of a direct material cost would be the plastic used to make the toys.
Can factory overhead be variable cost?
Variable overhead, as eluded to earlier, fluctuates with the number of units produced in a factory. As a result, variable overhead can be tougher to pin down and keep within the budget. Examples of variable overhead include: Production supplies.