Placing a number of animals on a given area that will result in overuse at the end of the planned grazing period. Not to be confused with overgrazing because an area may be overstocked for a short period, but the animals may be removed before the area is over utilised. However, continued overstocking will lead to overgrazing.

Running, raising, carrying or maintaining more animal units of grazers and browsers (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, wildlife, etc.) than existing forage resources can support without degrading range conditions and reducing carrying capacity. Overstocking is a function of numbers.