Solve CPM, cost or impressions — enter any two.
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How do you calculate CPM (cost per thousand impressions)?
CPM = cost ÷ impressions × 1000, so cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1000. For example, 500 spent for 100,000 impressions is a CPM of 5. CPM is the cost per thousand impressions and is common for awareness campaigns measured by reach rather than clicks. Enter any two values to find the third.
Understanding your result
CPM is common for awareness campaigns measured by reach rather than clicks.
Formula and method
CPM = cost ÷ impressions × 1000. So cost = CPM × impressions ÷ 1000.
Assumptions and limitations
CPM measures the cost of reach, not engagement or sales. Pair it with CTR and conversion-rate metrics to judge real performance.
Worked example
500 spent for 100,000 impressions is a CPM of 5.
How to use this tool
- Enter any two of cost, impressions and CPM.
- Press Calculate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering impressions in thousands instead of the full number.
About the CPM Calculator
CPM is the cost per thousand impressions. Enter any two values to find the third.
Who should use this tool
Media buyers and marketers planning or comparing awareness campaigns priced per impression.
Benefits
- Solve for cost, impressions or CPM from any two values.
- Compare the price of reach across platforms.
- Forecast a campaign budget from a target reach.
Practical use cases
- Estimating spend for a target number of impressions.
- Comparing display and social ad pricing.
- Sanity-checking a media plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the M mean?
M is the Roman numeral for 1,000 — CPM is cost per mille (per thousand).
How do I use the calculator to plan a budget?
Enter the CPM you expect to pay and the number of impressions you want, and the tool returns the cost. This lets you size a budget for a target reach, or work out how many impressions a fixed budget can buy at a given CPM.
Why do I enter impressions in single units rather than thousands?
Enter the full impression count, such as 100,000, not 100. The formula divides by one thousand internally to express cost per thousand, so entering a figure already in thousands would understate the CPM by a factor of a thousand.