Free RPM/CPM - 2026 Calculator
Calculate your potential earnings instantly. Free tool with no limits.
Calculate your revenue per mille (RPM) and CPM, compare to niche benchmarks
Calculate your YouTube RPM and CPM instantly. Based on our survey of 100 YouTube creators, finance channels earn $18.40 RPM on average while gaming channels earn just $2.10 RPM—an 8.7x difference. Our free calculator reveals what advertisers actually pay and your true earnings per 1,000 views based on real creator data. Unlike Social Blade ($10/month), our tool is 100% free with niche benchmarking.
Free YouTube RPM/CPM Calculator - Maximize Your Revenue (2026)
Your earnings from YouTube AdSense (for a specific period)
Total views for the same period
Views that actually showed ads (find in YouTube Analytics)
What Affects Your RPM/CPM?
Audience Location
Viewers from US/UK/Canada pay 5-10x more than developing countries
Tips:
- •Target English-speaking audiences
- •Create content relevant to high-CPM countries
- •Check YouTube Analytics → Audience → Geography
Content Niche
Finance/Tech niches earn 5-10x more than entertainment
Tips:
- •Choose profitable niches (finance, business, tech)
- •Create content advertisers want to sponsor
- •Avoid overly broad or saturated topics
Video Length
Videos 8+ minutes allow mid-roll ads (more revenue)
Tips:
- •Aim for 10-20 minute videos when possible
- •Add mid-roll ads every 5-7 minutes
- •Don't artificially stretch content
Seasonality
Q4 (Oct-Dec) has 30-50% higher CPM due to holiday ads
Tips:
- •Post high-performing content in Q4
- •Expect lower RPM in January-February
- •Plan content calendar around ad seasons
Ad-Friendly Content
Controversial topics may get limited/no ads
Tips:
- •Avoid swearing, violence, controversial topics
- •Check YouTube's advertiser-friendly guidelines
- •Use YouTube Studio to check monetization status
Understanding RPM vs CPM for 2026: Complete Guide
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) = What YOU actually earn per 1,000 views
This is your actual earnings after YouTube takes their 45% cut. You keep 55% of ad revenue.
CPM (Cost Per Mille) = What advertisers pay per 1,000 monetized views
This is the advertiser cost before YouTube's cut. Higher CPM niches earn you more money.
Formula: RPM = CPM × 0.55 (you get 55%, YouTube gets 45%)
YouTube keeps 45% of ad revenue as their platform fee. Your share is always 55%.
Not all views are monetized - ad blockers, kids content, and limited ads
Only views with ads shown count toward CPM. Many views have no ads due to various factors.
Focus on RPM - this is what actually matters for your earnings
Your RPM determines your real income. Optimize for higher RPM niches and audience locations.
Why This Free RPM/CPM Calculator Beats Paid Tools
Social Blade: $10/month for basic metrics. VidIQ Pro: $7.50-39/month for earnings data. This Tool: 100% free with niche benchmarking.
Plus, our calculator compares your RPM against niche averages and provides optimization tips.
Our Research Data (100 Creators Surveyed)
100
Creators Surveyed
$18.40
Finance Avg RPM
$2.10
Gaming Avg RPM
8.7x
Niche Difference
RPM by Niche: What Top Creators Actually Earn
Real RPM data across different YouTube niches.
Highest paying due to valuable audience
$12-25 RPM
$22-45 CPM
Strong buyer intent drives high rates
$6-12 RPM
$11-22 CPM
Evergreen content performs well
$4-10 RPM
$7-18 CPM
Lower rates but high volume potential
$1-4 RPM
$2-7 CPM
Learn More: YouTube Monetization & Revenue
Master YouTube earnings with our in-depth guides and original research:
100 YouTubers Survey: Tools, Strategies & What Actually Works
Real RPM data by niche from 100 creators
Highest Paying YouTube Niches (2026)
Finance earns 8.7x more than gaming
YouTube RPM vs CPM Explained (2026)
Understanding revenue metrics
How to Increase Your YouTube RPM 2026
Boost your earnings per 1K views
YouTube Earnings Calculator: Complete Guide 2026
Track and project revenue
Official YouTube Resources on Revenue
Learn directly from YouTube about ad revenue:
Our calculator follows YouTube's official revenue share model.
What Creators Are Saying
Daniel M.
Finally understand the RPM vs CPM difference. This tool showed me I was earning below average for my niche.
Lisa R.
The niche benchmarking is brilliant. I now know my RPM of $18 is actually excellent for educational finance.
Alex K.
Simple tool that helps me track my earnings over time. Great for seeing which videos earn the most.
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Everything You Need to Know
Master the RPM/CPM Calculator with this comprehensive guide covering setup, features, best practices, and real-world use cases.
?Free YouTube RPM vs CPM Calculator 2026 | Earnings Per 1,000 Views
A YouTube RPM/CPM Calculator is a free tool that calculates your actual earnings per 1,000 views and explains the difference between CPM (what advertisers pay) and RPM (what you earn after YouTube's 45% cut). Unlike Social Blade which shows generic estimates, our calculator provides niche-specific benchmarks and geographic multipliers - completely free with no signup required.
Many creators search "what is rpm vs cpm youtube" or "why my youtube rpm so low" to understand their earnings. Our tool addresses this by breaking down exactly how YouTube's revenue split works, why your RPM differs from displayed CPM, and what factors affect your earnings - niche, audience location, video length, and retention all play a role in 2026's algorithm.
Beyond basic calculation, this calculator helps you identify why earnings are low: short videos (fewer ads), low CPM niche (gaming vs finance), wrong geography (Tier 3 vs Tier 1 countries), or poor audience retention. Get specific recommendations for maximizing revenue through strategic content decisions.
→How to Calculate YouTube RPM and CPM in 3 Steps (2026 Guide)
Enter Your Monthly Views and AdSense Revenue
Input your average monthly views from YouTube Studio Analytics and your actual AdSense earnings for the same period. This calculates your true RPM (Revenue Per Mille) - what you actually earn per 1,000 views.
Select Your Content Niche
Choose your category because CPM varies dramatically: Finance ($15-25 CPM) vs Gaming ($2-5 CPM). This explains why one channel earns $10 RPM while another earns $2 RPM with identical views.
Choose Your Audience Geography
US/Canada/UK viewers earn 3-5x more than Tier 3 countries. Input your primary audience location to see how geography impacts earnings and whether targeting high-CPM countries could increase revenue.
✓10 Key Features: Why This is the Best Free RPM Calculator 2026
Niche CPM Database (20+ Categories)
Real CPM data: Finance $15-25, Tech $8-15, Gaming $2-5, Entertainment $3-7. Essential for "youtube cpm by niche 2026" comparisons - know if your RPM is normal or low.
Geographic Multipliers (Tier 1 vs Tier 3)
US/UK/Canada audiences generate 3-5x higher RPM than Tier 3 countries. See exactly how audience location impacts earnings - crucial for "highest cpm countries youtube 2026" strategy.
YouTube's 45% Cut Explained (CPM vs RPM)
CPM = what advertisers pay. RPM = what you earn after YouTube takes 45%. Example: $10 CPM × 55% (your share) = $5.50 RPM. We calculate both so you understand the split.
Video Length Impact Calculator
8+ minute videos earn 2-3x more RPM than 3-minute videos due to mid-roll ads. See how extending content affects earnings - essential for "youtube video length for money 2026".
Sponsorship Rate Calculator
Industry standard: Charge 2-5x your monthly AdSense for sponsored videos. Our calculator suggests fair pricing based on your RPM - stop undercharging brands.
Niche Comparison (Pivot Planner)
Model earnings if you switched niches. Gaming ($3 RPM) to Finance ($12 RPM) = 4x revenue with same views. Make data-driven content decisions.
RPM Benchmark by Channel Size
Compare your RPM to similarly-sized channels in your niche. New channels (<1K subs) earn less RPM than established channels. Fair comparison prevents unnecessary concern.
100% Free vs Social Blade Premium
Social Blade shows basic estimates. We provide niche-specific CPM, geographic multipliers, video length impact, and sponsorship pricing - completely free with more detail.
RPM Diagnosis (Why Low Earnings?)
Low RPM? We identify causes: Short videos (<8 min), wrong niche, low CPM geography, poor retention. Specific fixes: Extend videos, target US audience, shift niche - actionable.
Full-Time Planning Calculator
Calculate exact views needed to replace your salary at your niche RPM. Need $4K/month earning $3 RPM? Need 1.33M monthly views. Plan your full-time YouTube transition accurately.
💡7 Proven Ways to Use RPM/CPM Calculator (Real Examples 2026)
Diagnose "Why My YouTube RPM So Low"
Earning less than expected? Low RPM causes: Short videos (under 8 mins = fewer mid-roll ads), low CPM niche (gaming vs finance), Tier 3 audience geography. Our calculator identifies the culprit.
Example:
Gaming channel earning $0.80 RPM learns finance channels earn $8 RPM. Shifts to tech finance content, RPM increases to $6 RPM - 7.5x more earnings with same views.
Set Sponsorship Rates Based on RPM
Don't guess sponsorship pricing. Industry standard: 2-5x your monthly AdSense earnings for dedicated sponsorships. Use your RPM data to negotiate fair rates.
Example:
Channel earning $2 RPM with 100K monthly views = $200/month AdSense. Calculator suggests $400-1,000 per sponsored video (2-5x AdSense). Creator lands $800 deals - 4x monthly revenue from one sponsorship.
Niche Selection: Gaming vs Finance Comparison
Compare earnings potential across niches before committing. High CPM niches require 5-10x fewer views for same income. Essential for "most profitable youtube niches 2026" research.
Example:
Creator deciding between gaming ($3 CPM) and personal finance ($18 CPM). Calculator shows finance needs 6x fewer views for identical income. Chooses finance, hits full-time income in 8 months vs 2 years.
Audience Geography Strategy: Target High-CPM Countries
US/UK/Canada viewers earn 3-5x more. Calculate if shifting content strategy to target these audiences is worth the effort. Answer "highest cpm countries youtube 2026" with data.
Example:
Indian creator with 500K views earning $1 RPM ($500/month). Shifts content to target US viewers, reaches 100K US views earning $8 RPM ($800/month). 60% fewer views but 60% more revenue.
Video Length Optimization for Maximum RPM
8+ minute videos enable mid-roll ads, doubling/tripling RPM. Calculate if extending content from 5 to 10 minutes is worth the effort for your niche.
Example:
Creator making 5-minute videos earning $2 RPM. Extends to 10-minute videos (enables mid-rolls), RPM increases to $5 RPM. Same 100K views now earns $500 instead of $200 - 2.5x more revenue.
Full-Time YouTube Income Planning
Calculate exact views needed to quit your job. Factor in your niche RPM and realistic growth. Stop guessing - plan your financial future accurately.
Example:
Creator needing $4,000/month in gaming niche ($2 RPM) calculates needing 2M monthly views (unrealistic). Shifts to finance content ($10 RPM), needs only 400K views - achievable in 18 months.
Compare Performance Against Similar Channels
Are you underperforming? Compare your RPM to channels of similar size in your niche. Discover if low earnings are normal or signal room for optimization.
Example:
Tech channel earning $4 RPM worries it's low. Calculator shows tech channels with 10K subs average $3-6 RPM. Realizes $4 RPM is actually above average - performing well, no changes needed.
⭐Why This Free RPM Calculator Beats Social Blade and Paid Tools
Niche-Specific CPM Data (Not Generic Averages)
Social Blade shows one CPM estimate. We provide 20+ niche-specific CPMs: Finance $15-25 vs Gaming $2-5. Accurate comparison prevents unrealistic expectations or unnecessary panic.
Geographic Multipliers (Critical for RPM)
Audience location affects RPM more than any other factor. US viewers earn 3-5x more. We factor this in - most tools ignore geography, leading to inaccurate estimates.
YouTube's 45% Cut Clearly Explained
Most creators confuse CPM and RPM. We break down YouTube's revenue split: $10 CPM means $5.50 RPM (you keep 55%). Know exactly how much YouTube keeps vs what you earn.
Video Length Impact (Mid-Roll Ad Revenue)
8+ minute videos earn 2-3x RPM through mid-roll ads. We show how extending content impacts earnings - essential for revenue optimization most calculators ignore.
Sponsorship Pricing Based on Your RPM
Stop undercharging brands. Calculate fair market rates: 2-5x your monthly AdSense for dedicated sponsorships. Use your real RPM data to negotiate confidently.
Full-Time Planning with Realistic Targets
Don't dream - plan. Calculate exact views needed at your niche RPM to replace your income. Factor in growth rate for realistic timeline. Most tools lack this critical planning feature.
100% Free with More Detail Than Social Blade
Social Blade Pro costs $5-20/month for detailed analytics. Our free calculator provides niche CPMs, geographic multipliers, video length impact, and sponsorship pricing - completely free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this tool and how to use it effectively
CPM (Cost Per Mille) is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is what YOU earn per 1,000 video views after YouTube takes 45%. Example: $10 CPM × 55% (your share) = $5.50 RPM. YouTube keeps 45%, you keep 55%. Our calculator shows both.
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