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CPM Calculator

CPM is what an advertiser pays for every 1,000 times an ad is shown. Enter any two of cost, impressions and CPM to find the third — and add clicks to see click-through rate (CTR) and cost per click (CPC) alongside.

CPM is priced per 1,000 impressions, not per single impression — that is why the formula multiplies by 1,000. CTR and CPC appear only when clicks are entered. Results are exact arithmetic on your inputs; real campaign delivery varies with targeting, auction and viewability.

How it works

CPM = cost ÷ impressions × 1,000 — the M stands for mille, Latin for a thousand. The same formula rearranged gives the other two answers: cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1,000, and impressions = cost ÷ CPM × 1,000. With clicks entered, CTR = clicks ÷ impressions × 100, and CPC = cost ÷ clicks. Worked example: $500 spent for 250,000 impressions gives CPM = $500 ÷ 250,000 × 1,000 = $2.00. If those impressions produced 5,000 clicks, CTR = 5,000 ÷ 250,000 = 2.00% and CPC = $500 ÷ 5,000 = $0.10. Results are exact arithmetic on your inputs; real campaigns also depend on targeting, auction competition and viewability.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good CPM?

It varies wildly by channel and audience: social feeds often run $2–$15, search and premium video much higher. A 'good' CPM is one that delivers profitable clicks or sales — compare it with your CTR and conversion rate, not in isolation.

What is the difference between CPM, CPC and CTR?

CPM prices 1,000 impressions, CPC prices one click, and CTR is the share of impressions that get clicked. They are linked: CPC = CPM ÷ (CTR × 10). A $2 CPM at 2% CTR is a $0.10 CPC.

How do I lower my CPM?

Broaden targeting, refresh stale creative, test cheaper placements (stories and reels often beat feeds), and avoid over-narrow audiences that force you to bid against yourself. A higher CTR also lowers your effective CPC even at the same CPM.

Is CPM the same as cost per view?

No. CPM counts impressions (the ad being served), while cost per view usually counts a view that meets a threshold — e.g. 30 seconds of video or a click. Views are a stricter, usually more expensive, unit.

What is the difference between CPM and RPM?

CPM is what an advertiser pays; RPM is what a publisher earns per 1,000 impressions (revenue per mille). They describe the same auction from opposite sides, and the gap between them is the platform's cut and fees.

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