CPM Calculator
Enter any two values (Cost, Impressions, CPM). We’ll calculate the third instantly. Then check if your CPM looks low, typical, or high using a quick 2026 benchmark snapshot.
A quick check: is your CPM below, inside, or above typical ranges?
| Platform | Typical range | Status |
|---|---|---|
| $5.00–$15.00 | Typical | |
| Google Display | $3.00–$12.00 | Typical |
| YouTube | $3.50–$15.00 | Typical |
Benchmarks vary by industry, region, targeting, and creative. Use this snapshot as a fast sanity check, then open the full benchmarks page for details.
Learn more
Want the step-by-step explanation with more examples and definitions? Read the full guide.
What is CPM?
CPM means “cost per mille” (mille = 1,000). It tells you how much you pay for 1,000 ad impressions. It’s a simple way to compare campaign costs, even when two ads get different numbers of impressions.
- CPM is about impressions (views), not clicks.
- Lower CPM can mean cheaper reach, but it doesn’t always mean better results.
- Use CPM with other metrics like CTR and CPA to judge performance.
CPM formula
These three formulas are the same relationship written in different ways. Use the one that matches the field you want to calculate.
CPM = (Cost / Impressions) × 1000Use when you know Cost and Impressions.
Cost = (CPM × Impressions) / 1000Use when you know CPM and Impressions.
Impressions = (Cost / CPM) × 1000Use when you know Cost and CPM.
- Cost: the total spend (in your currency).
- Impressions: the number of times the ad was shown (a count).
- CPM: cost per 1,000 impressions (currency per 1,000).
Examples
Two quick examples you can verify with a calculator.
| Input | Output | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cost $1,000 and Impressions 100,000 | CPM $10.00 | (1000 / 100000) × 1000 = 10 |
| CPM $8.50 and Impressions 250,000 | Cost $2,125.00 | (8.5 × 250000) / 1000 = 2125 |
Benchmarks snapshot (2026)
After you calculate your CPM, compare it to this snapshot. If your CPM is much higher than typical, your targeting or competition may be expensive (or your creative isn’t converting well).
| Platform | Typical range |
|---|---|
| $5.00–$15.00 | |
| Google Display | $3.00–$12.00 |
| YouTube | $3.50–$15.00 |
Common mistakes
- Mixing up impressions and reach. Reach is unique people; impressions are total views.
- Comparing CPM across very different goals. Awareness campaigns and conversion campaigns can have different CPM levels.
- Ignoring currency and time. A “good CPM” can change by country, season, and platform.
- Judging only CPM. A higher CPM can still be fine if your conversions are strong.
Related tools
See a bigger dataset of CPM ranges and sources.
A clear guide with definitions and more examples.
Same calculator with Facebook-specific notes.
Estimate CPM for Google Display campaigns.
Estimate CPM ranges for YouTube ads.
Calculate effective CPM from revenue and impressions.
Calculate weighted average CPM across multiple campaigns.
Understand the difference and when to use each metric.
A simple explanation to avoid confusing cost and earnings.
How to Use
Step 1
Choose your currency (USD by default).
Step 2
Enter any two values: Cost, Impressions, or CPM.
Step 3
The calculator instantly computes the missing value.
Step 4
Check the benchmark snapshot to see if your CPM looks low, typical, or high.
Step 5
Copy the result and share it in a report or message.
FAQ
A “good CPM” depends on the platform, country, industry, and audience. Use the 2026 snapshot on this page as a quick check, then open the full benchmarks page for more detailed ranges.
In advertising, CPM is a pricing and reporting metric that shows the cost to deliver 1,000 impressions. It helps you compare how expensive it is to reach people on different platforms.
Common reasons include a highly competitive audience, narrow targeting, expensive geographies, limited ad inventory, or creative that doesn’t get enough engagement. Benchmarks can help you tell if your CPM is unusual for your platform.
CPM is cost per 1,000 impressions (views). CPC is cost per click. CPA is cost per action (like a purchase or signup). CPM is useful for reach/awareness, while CPC/CPA are often used for traffic and conversions.
No. CPM is based on impressions. Clicks and conversions are tracked separately through metrics like CTR, CPC, and CPA. If CPM is low but CTR and conversion rate are also low, you might be buying cheaper impressions that don’t create meaningful outcomes.
You can, but it’s easy to misread. Platforms differ in audience, placements, ad formats, and measurement. Compare CPM across platforms only after you align context (geo, targeting, objective, and creative quality). In practice, your best baseline is your own historical CPM for the same setup, plus external benchmarks for sanity checking.
CPM changes with auction competition, seasonality, budget shifts, geo mix, inventory availability, and targeting constraints. Even if you don’t change anything, the market does. Track CPM trends alongside CTR and CPA, and use small controlled tests when you need to diagnose a big change.
Have a different question? Check the benchmarks and guide pages for more context.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only. For terms and limitations, see Terms