How this calculator works
CPM is the cost of one thousand ad impressions. Enter the two values you know and the calculator finds the third from the same relationship. CPM is useful when you buy attention rather than clicks, for example on display or video placements, and when comparing placements with very different click-through rates. The cost is the media cost only; agency fees, production and ad serving are separate.
Formula
CPM = cost / impressions × 1,000. Cost = CPM × impressions / 1,000. Impressions = cost / CPM × 1,000.
Worked example
A $500 campaign that delivered 100,000 impressions has a CPM of $500 / 100,000 × 1,000 = $5.00. At a $5 CPM, a $2,000 budget buys 400,000 impressions, and 250,000 impressions at $6 CPM cost $1,500.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the M in CPM stand for?
Mille, Latin for one thousand. CPM is the cost per thousand impressions, not per million. Some platforms also report cost per million impressions under the same or a similar label, so check the unit on the report.
Are impressions the same as views?
Not always. A platform may count a view only after the ad is visible for a minimum time or fraction on screen, while an impression can be served without being seen. Use the platform's own definitions when comparing.
Why is CPM used instead of CPC?
CPM prices reach and frequency, which suits brand or awareness goals. CPC prices clicks, which suits direct response. A low CPM is cheap only if the audience is right; otherwise it buys a lot of the wrong attention.