Cost per converted action/sale from ads. The Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) Calculator takes ad spend, conversions (sales or sign-ups), target cost per acquisition and returns cost per acquisition plus conversions needed to hit the target at this spend, gap to target per conversion. Results update as you type, and the formula is shown under the result so you can repeat it in your own spreadsheet.
Marketing metrics are most useful as trends and comparisons between channels. Measure every campaign the same way, over the same period, and judge it against your gross margin rather than against revenue alone. Use the worked example below to check the maths against your own figures.
How the Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) Calculator works
Cost per acquisition is what a sale or sign-up costs in advertising. Set the target from your margin (or use the break-even ad budget calculator) and optimise campaigns towards it.
Worked example
With the example values (ad spend of $6,000, conversions (sales or sign-ups) of 120, target cost per acquisition of $40), the cost per acquisition is $50.00; conversions needed to hit the target at this spend 150, gap to target per conversion $10.00. Change any figure above and the result updates immediately; use Copy results to paste the summary into a note or email.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost per acquisition calculated?
CPA = spend ÷ conversions.
Which figures do I need?
Ad spend, conversions (sales or sign-ups), target cost per acquisition. Take them from the same period and the same set of accounts or reports so the ratio is consistent, and check the example values as a guide to the units expected.
How often should I track this metric?
Weekly for live campaigns, monthly for channel comparisons, and always over the same period for spend and results so the figures line up.
