Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM) Calculator
Calculate the cost per 1,000 ad impressions across programmatic display, paid social, connected TV, out-of-home, and audio campaigns.
Calculate Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM)
Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM) Formulas & Reverse Equations
Use these standard and algebraic reverse formulas in spreadsheets, agency decks, or media plans:
Solve for CPM
CPM = (Total Cost ÷ Total Impressions) × 1,000Solve for Total Cost
Total Cost = (Total Impressions × CPM) ÷ 1,000Solve for Total Impressions
Total Impressions = (Total Cost × 1,000) ÷ CPMUnderstanding Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM)
Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM) — where M represents the Roman numeral for 1,000 (mille) — is the foundational pricing and benchmarking metric in media buying. It normalises the cost of reaching an audience across publishers, formats, and channels regardless of total budget size.
When to Use Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM)
Use CPM when comparing inventory pricing across networks, negotiating direct publisher IO rates, planning top-of-funnel awareness budgets, or normalising delivery efficiency alongside CTR and CPA.
Industry Benchmarks & Planning Context
Programmatic display CPMs typically range from $2–$8, paid social feeds from $6–$18, pre-roll video from $12–$25, and premium Connected TV (CTV) or broadcast BVOD inventory from $25–$65+.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPM
How do you calculate CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions)?
Divide your total advertising spend by the total number of impressions delivered, then multiply the result by 1,000. The formula is: CPM = (Total Cost ÷ Total Impressions) × 1,000.
Why does the M in CPM stand for 1,000?
The 'M' in CPM comes from the Latin word 'mille', which means one thousand (and is also the Roman numeral M). Therefore, CPM literally translates to Cost Per Mille — the cost for every 1,000 impressions.
How do I calculate total cost from CPM and impressions?
Multiply your total impressions by the CPM rate and divide by 1,000: Total Cost = (Total Impressions × CPM) ÷ 1,000. You can switch our interactive calculator above to 'Solve for Total Cost' to run this automatically.
What is the difference between CPM, vCPM, and eCPM?
CPM measures the cost per 1,000 served impressions. Viewable CPM (vCPM) measures the cost per 1,000 impressions that actually met MRC viewability standards on screen. Effective CPM (eCPM) is used by publishers and performance buyers to convert CPC, CPA, or total revenue back into an equivalent revenue or cost per 1,000 impressions.