How to use the Cost per Click Calculator
Enter what you spent on a campaign and how many clicks it got. The result is your average cost per click.
Worked example
A campaign that spent $500 and brought 400 clicks has a CPC of 500 ÷ 400 = $1.25. If 20 of those visitors bought something, the cost per sale was 500 ÷ 20 = $25. That second number usually matters more than the CPC itself.
Is your CPC good?
A good CPC depends on what a click is worth to you. Work out your profit per sale and your conversion rate first. If 5% of visitors buy and you earn $40 per sale, each click is worth about $2, so paying $1.25 leaves room for profit. Compare campaigns on cost per sale, not CPC alone.
The formula
CPC = ad spend ÷ clicks
Examples
- 500 spend and 250 clicks
Cost per click: 2
- 1,800 spend and 600 clicks
Cost per click: 3
- 95 spend and 40 clicks
Cost per click: 2.375
Limitations and assumptions
Shows the average for the period you enter. Real auction prices change by keyword, time of day and audience.
Frequently asked questions
How is CPC calculated?
Total spend ÷ number of clicks.
What is a good CPC?
It depends on the keyword and market; legal and finance clicks cost far more than retail ones.
Is CPC the same as the bid?
No, the actual cost is often lower than your maximum bid.
What else should I track?
Conversion rate and cost per lead, because cheap clicks are only good if they convert.