How this calculator works
YouTube pays creators a share of the advertising revenue shown against their videos, and RPM summarises the result per thousand views. RPM is the creator's own rate: it already reflects the creator share and applies only to views where an ad could run, including views that were not monetised. Multiplying views by RPM and dividing by 1,000 estimates creator revenue. Dividing that revenue by the creator share gives the larger advertising total before YouTube's cut, which is useful for understanding how much the platform and the advertisers are putting in. The share is set to 55%, the long-form rate, but it can be changed for Shorts or other arrangements. These figures cover ad revenue only and exclude memberships, merchandise and sponsorships.
Formula
Creator revenue = views / 1,000 x RPM. Total ad revenue before the creator share = creator revenue / creator share. RPM = creator revenue / views x 1,000. Views needed = target creator revenue / RPM x 1,000.
Worked example
One million views at a $2.50 RPM earns 1,000 x $2.50 = $2,500 for the creator. At a 55% creator share, the total ad revenue behind that is $2,500 / 0.55 = $4,545.45. A creator who wants $3,000 from 1,500,000 views needs an RPM of $3,000 x 1,000 / 1,500,000 = $2.00. At a $2.50 RPM, $1,000 of revenue needs 400,000 views.
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Frequently asked questions
Is RPM the same as CPM?
No. CPM is what advertisers pay per thousand ad impressions. RPM is what the creator keeps per thousand video views after the platform share, and it spreads revenue across all views, including those without ads. RPM is always lower than the advertiser CPM for the same views.
Why is my RPM different from the estimate?
RPM depends on the audience country, the type of content, the season and how many views carried an ad. Finance and technology audiences usually command more than general entertainment, and rates rise in the fourth quarter. Use the channel's own reported RPM whenever you have it.
Does YouTube take a share of Shorts revenue too?
Yes, but the split and the way Shorts revenue is pooled differ from long-form video. The 55% default here is the long-form creator share. Enter the share that applies to your content rather than assuming the long-form figure for Shorts.