CPM Calculator (with CPC and CTR)
Updated · By the CalculatorDash editorial team · How we check our maths
Quick answer
CPM = spend ÷ impressions × 1,000. Spending $1,200 for 150,000 impressions is an $8.00 CPM. With 2,250 clicks that is a 1.5% click-through rate and a $0.53 cost per click; 90 conversions cost $13.33 each.
How this calculator works
Advertising platforms charge in different ways: per thousand impressions (CPM), per click (CPC) or per action (CPA). Converting between them lets you compare a display campaign with a search campaign, or decide what you can afford to bid.
The metrics chain together. CPM × (1 ÷ CTR) ÷ 1,000 gives CPC, and CPC ÷ conversion rate gives CPA. If your CPA is too high, this chain shows whether the problem is expensive impressions, an ad nobody clicks, or a landing page that doesn't convert.
Publishers see the same numbers from the other side. A site's RPM (revenue per 1,000 pageviews) depends on the CPMs advertisers bid, which is why finance, insurance and legal content earns more per visitor than general entertainment.
The formula
- CPM
- spend ÷ impressions × 1,000
- CPC
- spend ÷ clicks
- CTR
- clicks ÷ impressions × 100
- CPA
- spend ÷ conversions
Worked example
$1,200 ÷ 150,000 × 1,000 = $8.00 CPM. 2,250 clicks is a 1.50% CTR and a $0.53 CPC. 90 conversions is a 4.00% conversion rate and a $13.33 CPA.
Tips
- 01Improve CTR first: a better ad often lowers CPM and CPC on auction platforms.
- 02Judge campaigns on CPA against customer value, not on CPM alone.
- 03Seasonality matters: CPMs often rise sharply in November and December.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good CPM?
It varies by platform, country and audience, from a few dollars on broad social audiences to $20–$50 or more for narrow B2B or finance audiences.
How do I convert CPM to CPC?
CPC = CPM ÷ (CTR × 1,000). An $8 CPM with a 1.5% CTR is about $0.53 per click.
What is the difference between CPM and RPM?
CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 impressions. RPM is what a publisher earns per 1,000 pageviews.