CPM Calculator
CPM is cost per thousand impressions, and it's the number every ad buyer lives by. Enter two of the three values and this fills in the one you're missing.
CPM is cost per thousand impressions — spend divided by impressions, times 1,000. Flip the mode to back out a budget or the reach a fixed spend should buy.
How it works
The core formula is cost divided by impressions, times 1,000. Spend $500 to reach 125,000 people and your CPM is $4 — you paid four dollars for every thousand impressions.
Switch the mode to solve the problem you actually have. Have a fixed budget and a target CPM? Find the impressions it buys. Know your CPM and the reach you want? Back out the cost.
It's the standard yardstick for comparing ad channels, since a flat dollar amount means nothing without knowing how many people it reached. Everything runs right in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between CPM and CPC?
CPM charges per thousand impressions, so you pay for eyeballs whether or not anyone clicks. CPC charges per click, so you only pay for action. CPM suits awareness campaigns; CPC suits direct response.
Is a low CPM always better?
Not necessarily. A cheap CPM that reaches the wrong audience wastes money, while a pricier CPM on a tightly targeted, high-intent audience can convert far better. Judge it alongside your results, not on its own.
What CPM is typical?
It ranges a lot by platform and targeting — social display can run a few dollars, while narrow B2B or premium video can be $20 or more. Compare against your own past campaigns for the truest benchmark.