Cost per Acquisition Calculator
How much campaign spend was allocated to each counted acquisition? Check the formula, a worked example and the stated measurement limits.
Result for the values shown.
Calculations run in your browser.
What to enter
| Input | Meaning and units |
|---|---|
| Campaign spend (currency) | Enter campaign spend in currency. Use the measurement basis described below. |
| Counted acquisitions (acquisitions) | Enter a whole count in acquisitions; keep the reporting population consistent. |
Understanding your result
Compare acquisition cost with contribution and acquisition quality, not only with order revenue.
Common mistakes
- Do not combine leads and purchases into an unlabeled acquisition count.
- CPA and fully loaded customer acquisition cost are not interchangeable.
Check your calculation
- Use the worked example as a known reference case, then change one input at a time and check the direction and units of the response.
Choose a consistent measurement basis
Use one acquisition definition and one attribution window. CPA here includes only entered spend; company-wide CAC can include sales salaries, tools and other acquisition costs.
A second independently worked case
Four acquisitions with no allocated campaign spend give allocated CPA zero. Inputs: Campaign spend: 0 currency; Counted acquisitions: 4 acquisitions. Results: Cost per acquisition: 0 currency/acquisition.
Precision and output units
Displayed results: Cost per acquisition in currency/acquisition, rounded to 2 decimal places. Display rounding does not establish the precision of the original measurements or estimates.
Calculation checks, sources and review limits
How much campaign spend was allocated to each counted acquisition?
How much campaign spend was allocated to each counted acquisition? Check the formula, a worked example and the stated measurement limits.
Common uses
- How much campaign spend was allocated to each counted acquisition
- Compare Cost per Acquisition across scenarios under matching definitions.
How it works
Divide the chosen campaign cost by its counted acquisitions. An acquisition must be defined before calculating: a purchase, qualified lead and signup are different events.
Worked example
1,200 ÷ 40 = 30 per counted acquisition. Enter campaign spend 1200 currency, counted acquisitions 40 acquisitions. The independently worked result is cost per acquisition 30 currency/acquisition. Compare this example with your reporting definitions before substituting your own figures.
FAQ
How is CPA different from CAC?
CPA allocates the cost basis entered here to counted acquisition events. Fully loaded customer acquisition cost may also allocate sales labor, software and other costs, and typically uses actual acquired customers.
Can multiple platforms count the same acquisition?
Yes. Platform attribution windows and rules can overlap. Reconcile event identities and reporting conventions before adding reported acquisition counts.