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CPM Calculator
Calculate your cost per 1,000 ad impressions — or work backwards to the total cost or the impressions a budget will buy.
Short answer
CPM (cost per mille) is the cost of 1,000 ad impressions: CPM = total cost ÷ impressions × 1,000. For example, $500 spent for 100,000 impressions is a $5.00 CPM. Enter any two of cost, impressions, and CPM below and the calculator solves for the third.
CPM (cost per 1,000)
$5.00
Ad spend by CPM and impressions
| Impressions | $2 CPM | $5 CPM | $10 CPM | $20 CPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | $20 | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| 50,000 | $100 | $250 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 100,000 | $200 | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| 500,000 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| 1,000,000 | $2,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
Cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1,000, computed from this page's calculator. Actual CPMs vary widely by channel, audience targeting, format, and season.
The CPM formula
CPM stands for cost per mille— mille is Latin for a thousand — so it's what you pay for every 1,000 ad impressions. The formula is CPM = (total cost ÷ impressions) × 1,000. Rearrange it to plan a campaign: cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1,000 tells you what a run will cost, and impressions = budget ÷ CPM × 1,000 tells you how much reach a budget buys. CPM measures the price of being seen — pair it with CPC (cost per click) or CPA (cost per acquisition) to judge whether those impressions actually perform.
How we calculate this
CPM is a single formula, rearranged three ways depending on what you're solving for:
- CPM from a campaign. CPM = total cost ÷ impressions × 1,000. Example: $500 over 100,000 impressions = $5.00 CPM.
- Cost from a CPM. cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1,000. Example: a $5 CPM over 200,000 impressions costs $1,000.
- Impressions from a budget. impressions = budget ÷ CPM × 1,000. Example: $750 at a $5 CPM buys 150,000 impressions.
Assumptions
- CPM measures cost of impressions (reach), not clicks (CPC) or conversions (CPA) — pair it with those to judge performance.
- Reference CPMs are broad industry ranges; your actual rate depends on channel, targeting, format, and demand.
- Impressions are counted as served ad views; viewability and ad-fraud adjustments are not modeled.
Sources
Last reviewed: July 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Related tools
What is the CPM formula?+
CPM = (total cost ÷ impressions) × 1,000. CPM means 'cost per mille,' the cost of 1,000 ad impressions (mille is Latin for thousand). For example, $500 spent for 100,000 impressions is ($500 ÷ 100,000) × 1,000 = $5.00 CPM. Rearranged, cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1,000 and impressions = cost ÷ CPM × 1,000.
How do I calculate CPM?+
Divide your total ad spend by the number of impressions, then multiply by 1,000. If a campaign cost $1,200 and delivered 300,000 impressions, CPM = ($1,200 ÷ 300,000) × 1,000 = $4.00. This calculator does it instantly and can also work backwards to find the cost or impressions.
What does CPM mean in advertising?+
CPM is the price an advertiser pays for one thousand ad impressions — one of the most common ways display, social, and video ads are priced. It's an awareness metric: it measures what you pay to be seen, not clicks or sales. Compare CPM across channels to see where reach is cheapest, and pair it with CPC or CPA to judge performance.
What is a good CPM?+
It depends on the channel and audience. Broad display networks often run a few dollars per 1,000 impressions, while highly targeted social or premium video placements can be $10–$30 or more. A 'good' CPM is one that reaches the right audience efficiently for your goal — cheap impressions that don't convert aren't a bargain. Use the reference table below for typical ranges.
How many impressions will my budget buy?+
Divide your budget by the CPM and multiply by 1,000. At a $5 CPM, a $750 budget buys ($750 ÷ $5) × 1,000 = 150,000 impressions. Switch this calculator to 'solve for impressions' to plan reach from a fixed budget and a target CPM.
What's the difference between CPM, CPC, and CPA?+
CPM is cost per 1,000 impressions (you pay to be seen), CPC is cost per click (you pay for a visit), and CPA is cost per acquisition (you pay per conversion, like a sale or sign-up). CPM suits awareness campaigns; CPC suits traffic goals; CPA suits direct-response goals. Many campaigns are bought on CPM but judged on the effective CPC or CPA they produce.
Estimates for media planning only. Reference CPMs are broad industry ranges; your actual rate depends on channel, audience targeting, ad format, and demand. Impressions are counted as served ad views and exclude viewability and ad-fraud adjustments.