Break-Even Calculator
Units and revenue needed to cover fixed costs. e.g. “How many units cover $10,000 of fixed costs?”
Enter your values
Results update as you type. All calculation happens in your browser.
Methodology
Units and revenue needed to cover fixed costs. This tool uses a standard, documented formula and runs entirely on your device.
Last reviewed January 2026 · Runs client-side
Finding your break-even point
Break-even is the number of units at which sales exactly cover your costs, the moment a product stops losing money and starts making it. It depends on your fixed costs and the profit each sale contributes after its own variable cost.
Knowing this figure turns pricing and planning from guesswork into arithmetic. It tells you the sales target that matters and shows instantly how a price change or a new cost moves that target.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your total fixed costs for the period.
- Add the selling price and the variable cost of a single unit.
- Read the break-even units and the revenue they represent.
What the inputs mean
- Fixed costs
- Costs that stay the same regardless of volume, rent, software, salaries.
- Variable cost per unit
- Costs that rise with each unit sold, such as materials, packaging, and shipping.
With $10,000 of fixed costs, a $30 price, and a $12 variable cost, each sale contributes $18, so you break even at about 556 units, roughly $16,700 in revenue.
The formula, in plain terms
Divide fixed costs by the contribution margin (price minus variable cost) to get the units needed to cover everything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the contribution margin?
It is the price of a unit minus its variable cost, the amount each sale contributes toward fixed costs and then profit.
Does this include profit?
No. Break-even only covers costs. To hit a profit target, add it to your fixed costs before dividing.
Last reviewed January 2026. This explainer is general information, not professional advice.