The maximum shape ratio is the limit value for the shape ratio of a department before it gets penalized in the shape adjusted distance score. The department shape ratio is the maximum of its length to width and width to length ratios. For example the shape ratio of a square is one and the shape ratio of a three by one rectangle is equal to three. If a department shape ratio exceeds the maximum shape ratio then it will get penalized. If the department shape ratio exceeds the maximum shape ratio then the shape adjusted distance score is the sum of the normal distance score and the excess department's shape ratio over the maximum shape ratio times the shape penalty. The term shape factor is also commonly used for shape ratio. The acceptable value of the maximum shape ratio depends on the department function, so different departments can have different maximum shape ratios. Only the block exchange algorithms use the maximum shape ratio to penalize block layouts to avoid excessively narrowly shaped departments.