What this calculator does

CPM means cost per thousand impressions. It is a standard way to compare the price of display, video and social advertising inventory.

Formula used

CPM equals total cost divided by impressions, multiplied by 1,000. The same relationship can estimate cost from impressions and target CPM.

How to read the result

A low CPM is not automatically better. Campaign quality also depends on audience, placement, viewability, creative, conversions and downstream value.

Assumptions

  • Uses served impressions, not viewable impressions.
  • Does not include agency fees, platform fees or conversion value.
  • Treats CPM as cost per 1,000 impressions.

Sources and checks

This calculator uses a standard public formula. Where rules or thresholds can change, source links are listed on the relevant page.

Frequently asked questions

Why is CPM useful?

It puts campaigns with different budgets and impression volumes onto the same cost basis, making media prices easier to compare.