Calculator

Budget Calculator

A budget calculator is the inverse of CPM planning. It helps you start with the outcome you want, then work backward to the spend required to buy it.

Useful when the media plan starts from a reach or impression goal.Helps teams compare scenarios before media buying begins.Makes it easier to defend budgets in planning reviews.
Formula

Formula

Budget = (Impressions x CPM) / 1000

If you need 1,500,000 impressions at a CPM of $6, the required budget is $9,000. If frequency matters, adjust the impressions target to reflect the unique reach you actually need.

Metric Definitions

Scenario example

Target impressionsCPMRequired budget
500,000$8$4,000
1,000,000$5$5,000
2,000,000$4$8,000
Guide

When this tool is most useful

  • New product launches that need a fixed reach threshold.
  • Brand campaigns with a known impression requirement.
  • Budgeting across channels where CPM differs widely.
Related Pages

Key Pages

Related Pages

Related Pages

FAQ

Common Questions

Does the budget calculator include platform fees?

You should include them in the cost input if they are part of actual media spend.

Can I plan for frequency with this page?

Yes. Estimate impressions first, then divide by frequency to understand unique reach.

Is budget the best starting point?

Only when the outcome is fixed. If the real goal is revenue, start from ROAS or profit instead.