CPM Calculator

1. Enter any two of CPM, total ad cost and impressions.
2. Leave the one you want to find blank.
3. Read the result.
4. See the cost per single impression alongside.

Here is what each result means:

CPM stands for cost per mille, where mille is Latin for thousand, so it is the cost of one thousand ad impressions. An impression is counted each time an ad is shown, whether or not anyone clicks it. CPM is one of the most common ways online advertising is priced, especially for campaigns aimed at building awareness and reach.

The formula is simple: divide the total amount spent by the number of impressions, then multiply by 1000. If you spend 500 to serve 100,000 impressions, the CPM is 500 divided by 100,000, times 1000, which is 5. In other words, it costs 5 to show your ad a thousand times.

Because CPM measures the cost of exposure, it is best for comparing the price of reach across platforms and campaigns. A lower CPM means cheaper impressions. It does not, however, tell you whether those impressions led to clicks or sales, which is why it is usually read alongside metrics like click-through rate and conversion rate.

It rearranges one relation to solve for whichever value you leave blank.

1. For CPM, divide cost by impressions and multiply by 1000.
2. For cost, divide CPM by 1000 and multiply by impressions.
3. For impressions, divide cost by CPM and multiply by 1000.

CPM pairs with click and conversion metrics; see the CTR calculator and the CPC calculator.

You spend 500 to serve 100,000 impressions.

Calculation: CPM = 500 / 100,000 x 1000 = 5. Each thousand impressions costs 5, or 0.005 per single impression. To reach 200,000 impressions at the same CPM, you would budget 1,000.

One relation, rearranged for whatever you need to find.

All three come from CPM = cost over impressions times 1000, so any two of the values give the third. This makes it easy to set a budget for a target reach, or to check the reach a fixed budget should buy.

Advertising is priced on different actions, and the metric name tells you which.

CPM charges for exposure, CPC for clicks and CPA for conversions. A low CPM is not automatically a bargain: if those impressions never turn into clicks or sales, a higher-CPM placement that converts well can be far better value.

The Platform and Audience

Premium platforms and narrow, sought-after audiences command higher CPMs.

Competition and Season

CPMs rise when many advertisers compete, such as around holidays and big shopping events.

Ad Format and Placement

Video and prime placements usually cost more per thousand impressions than basic display.

Budgeting a Campaign

Work out the spend needed for a target number of impressions.

Comparing Quotes

Put different placements on the same cost-per-thousand basis.

Reporting

Show the cost efficiency of reach for a finished campaign.

1. Confusing Impressions and Reach

Impressions count every time an ad is shown; reach counts unique people. CPM uses impressions.

2. Forgetting the Times 1000

CPM is per thousand impressions, so the formula multiplies by 1000.

3. Judging Value on CPM Alone

A low CPM is not good if the impressions do not lead to clicks or sales.

4. Mixing Currencies

Keep the cost and the CPM in the same currency.

5. Zero Impressions or CPM

Solving for CPM or impressions cannot divide by zero.

The relation is exact; only the displayed decimals are rounded.

CPM is the cost per thousand ad impressions. It equals the total cost divided by impressions, times 1000. Spending 500 for 100,000 impressions is a CPM of 5.

Divide the total ad cost by the number of impressions, then multiply by 1000. For 500 spent on 100,000 impressions, that is 500 over 100,000 times 1000, which is 5.

Cost per mille, where mille is Latin for thousand. So CPM is the cost of showing an ad one thousand times.

Not always. A low CPM means cheap impressions, but if they do not turn into clicks or sales, a higher-CPM placement that converts well can be better value.

It varies widely by platform, audience and season, so there is no single figure. Use CPM to compare like-for-like placements rather than as an absolute target.

CPM charges per thousand impressions, good for reach. CPC charges per click, good for driving traffic. They price different actions.

Impressions count every time an ad is shown, including repeats to the same person. Reach counts unique people. CPM is based on impressions.

Multiply your target impressions by the CPM, then divide by 1000. For 200,000 impressions at a CPM of 5, the budget is 1,000.

No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere, unless you choose Save, which keeps the result only on this device.

• Cost per mille (Wikipedia).
• Impression (online media) (Wikipedia).
• Online advertising (Wikipedia).