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Break-Even CPA Calculator

Use the break even CPA calculator to find the maximum cost per acquisition your average order can support before advertising creates a loss.

Enter per-order revenue and costs

Use the break even CPA calculator to turn contribution margin into the maximum acquisition cost before loss.

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Advanced costs
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Percentage of revenue paid to creators or affiliates.
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Expected returns and refunds as a percentage of revenue.
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Include only costs that change with each order.

Percentage costs are calculated from the entered selling price / AOV.

Recheck the break even CPA calculator whenever price or order costs change.
Break even CPA calculator result
Break-Even CPA$29.90

The break even CPA calculator shows what you can spend to acquire one average order before profit reaches zero.

Contribution margin
$29.90
Contribution margin %
49.8%
Variable costs
$30.10
Equivalent break-even ROAS
2.01x
Your acquisition ceiling

How the break even CPA calculator works

The break even CPA calculator treats contribution margin as the amount available for advertising.

Break-Even CPARevenue − All Non-Ad Variable Costs

Non-ad costs include COGS, shipping, fulfillment, payment fees, platform fees, and other costs tied to each order.

Example

A $60 order with $28 in non-ad variable costs has $32 in contribution margin. The break even CPA calculator returns $32 as the maximum CPA. At exactly $32, profit per order is zero.

From CPA to ROAS

Divide average order value by break-even CPA to get break-even ROAS. The same economics power the main Break-Even ROAS Calculator.

Set a safer target

Break-even is not the campaign goal

The break even CPA calculator identifies a ceiling, not a campaign goal. A practical target CPA sits below break-even CPA so the gap can pay for profit and provide a buffer for refunds, attribution changes, and cost volatility.

Keep checking the numbers

Break-Even ROAS Calculator

Find the ROAS and CPA your store needs to cover every variable cost.

Target ROAS Calculator

Turn contribution margin and a profit goal into a practical target ROAS.

Dropshipping Profit Calculator

Calculate order profit, margin, ROAS, and acquisition limits for a dropshipping product.

Clear answers

Break even CPA calculator questions

What is break-even CPA?

Break-even CPA is the most you can spend to acquire an average order before that order's profit reaches zero. It equals contribution margin before advertising.

How does the break even CPA calculator handle fees?

It subtracts percentage payment fees, fixed payment fees, platform fees, and other entered per-order costs from revenue before calculating the CPA limit.

Is break-even CPA the same as target CPA?

No. The break even CPA calculator finds a limit that leaves no profit. A target CPA should be lower so the order retains your desired profit margin.

Is a BE CPA calculator the same as a break-even CPA calculator?

Yes. BE CPA is a shortened form of break-even CPA. Both the break even CPA calculator and the abbreviated BE CPA calculator find the maximum acquisition cost before an average order reaches zero profit.

Should shipping be included?

Include any shipping cost paid by the seller. Customer-paid shipping can be included in revenue if it is part of the average order value.

What if my break-even CPA is negative?

That means non-ad variable costs already exceed revenue. The calculator does not show a negative acquisition allowance; price or costs must change first.