Break-even CPA calculator.

Break-even CPA is what's left of an order after product, shipping, fees and discounts. Pay more than that in ads and the first order loses money.

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The short answer

Break-even CPA is the most you can pay in ads to win one order without losing money: order value after discounts, minus product cost, shipping and payment fees. A $70 order with $21 product cost, $8 shipping, 3% fees and a 5% discount leaves $35.50, so a CPA above that loses money on the first order.

How do you calculate break-even CPA?

Break-even CPA = order value after discounts − payment fees − product cost − shipping

That's your contribution per order, the money left to pay for marketing and profit. In the calculator's example: $70 less a 5% discount is $66.50. Payment fees at 3% take $2.00, product costs $21 and shipping $8, which leaves $35.50 (rounded).

What is a target CPA?

Break-even CPA minus the profit you want to keep on each order. With a 10% profit target on a $70 order, you keep $7, so the target CPA is $28.50. Give the ad platforms the target, not the break-even number.

How does break-even CPA relate to break-even ROAS?

They're the same line from two sides. Break-even ROAS = order value after discounts ÷ contribution per order. In the example, $66.50 ÷ $35.50 = 1.87x. Below that ROAS, ads lose money on the first order.

Can you pay more than break-even CPA?

Yes, if customers come back. A brand with strong repeat purchases can lose money on the first order and make it back on the second and third. That's a deliberate bet, so check it with the LTV calculator and track payback with the CAC calculator before you run ads above break-even.

How do you raise break-even CPA?

  • Raise average order value with bundles and free-shipping thresholds.
  • Cut discounts that train buyers to wait for a code.
  • Lower product and shipping cost per order.

Every dollar added to contribution is a dollar more you can bid for customers. Want the ads run to that number? See paid ads for startups, or browse all free marketing calculators.

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How do you calculate break-even CPA?
Break-even CPA equals order value after discounts minus payment fees, product cost and shipping per order. A $70 order with a 5% discount, 3% payment fees, $21 product cost and $8 shipping has a break-even CPA of $35.50.
What is the difference between break-even CPA and target CPA?
Break-even CPA is the most a brand can pay per order before losing money on it. Target CPA is break-even CPA minus the profit the brand wants to keep, and it's the number to give ad platforms.
How do you turn break-even CPA into break-even ROAS?
Break-even ROAS equals order value after discounts divided by contribution per order, which is the break-even CPA. A $66.50 net order with $35.50 contribution breaks even at a 1.87x ROAS.
Is it ever worth paying more than break-even CPA?
Yes, when repeat purchases make up the loss. Brands with strong repeat rates can lose money on the first order and profit over the customer's lifetime, as long as LTV and CAC payback are tracked closely.

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