Break-Even CPA Calculator
Calculate the maximum CPA you can afford without losing money, and your optimal ad budget. Free, no signup required.
Everything is calculated live in your browser, nothing is sent.
Average amount per order.
Average gross margin after COGS, excluding ads.
Percentage of visitors who purchase.
Total monthly advertising budget.
Maximum cost per acquisition before losing money.
Maximum cost per click to stay profitable given your conversion rate.
Expected orders if you spend your full budget at break-even CPA.
Expected revenue based on budget and break-even CPA.
Estimated net profit after COGS and ads based on budget.
What is break-even CPA
Break-even CPA is the maximum amount you can spend to acquire a customer without losing money on the first order. Above it, every sale costs you money. Below it, you generate immediate profit. It's the starting point of any rational ad budget.
$80 x 30% = $24 maximum CPA
$24 x 2% = $0.48 maximum CPC
$5,000 / $24 = 208 orders (at break-even)
Frequently asked questions
What is CPA in e-commerce?+
CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) is the average cost to generate an order via advertising. It includes all budget spent on Meta, Google, TikTok or other platforms, divided by the number of attributed orders.
What CPA should I aim for?+
Your CPA should be below your gross margin per order (AOV x margin). Ideally, aim for 60-70% of break-even CPA to keep a safety margin.
Does break-even account for LTV?+
No, this calculator is based on first order only. If you have good repeat purchase rates, you can afford a CPA above the first-order break-even. Use the LTV calculator to compute your maximum CAC including customer lifetime value.
How do I reduce my CPA?+
Improve conversion rate (product page, checkout, speed), test more creatives, cut unprofitable audiences, optimize bids. Going from 2% to 3% conversion mechanically divides your CPA by 1.5.
Is my data saved?+
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser, nothing is sent.
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