Free tool · cost per click
Free CPC calculator
Cost per click (CPC) is what you pay, on average, for each click on an ad: total ad spend divided by clicks. This free CPC calculator works it out from any two of spend, clicks and CPC, so you can also find the budget a target CPC needs or the number of clicks a budget will buy.
By the Dolphin Analytics team · Last updated · Formula as defined in Google Ads Help (average CPC)
£750.00 ÷ 500 = £1.50 - Click-through rate (CTR)
- 2.50%
- Cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM)
- £37.50
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What is cost per click?
Cost per click is the average price of one ad click. Google Ads reports it as average CPC, and Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads and Microsoft Advertising report the same figure. Most search ads are bought per click, so CPC is the number that turns a click target into a budget.
How do you calculate CPC?
Divide total ad spend by the number of clicks, as Google Ads Help defines average CPC. The same formula rearranges to find the other two numbers:
| To find | Formula | Worked example |
|---|---|---|
| CPC | spend ÷ clicks | £750 ÷ 500 = £1.50 |
| Spend | CPC × clicks | £1.50 × 500 = £750 |
| Clicks | spend ÷ CPC | £750 ÷ £1.50 = 500 |
Why is my average CPC lower than my maximum bid?
In Google Ads you set a maximum CPC, the most you are willing to pay for a click. The auction often charges less than that, as Google Ads Help explains, so the average CPC in your reports sits below the bid you entered.
Frequently asked questions
Is this CPC calculator free?
Yes. The Dolphin Analytics CPC calculator is free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser, so the numbers you enter never leave your device.
What is a good CPC?
No single CPC is good for every campaign. CPC changes with keyword competition, industry, platform and ad quality. A better test is whether a click earns more than it costs: multiply your conversion rate by the value of a conversion and compare it with your CPC.
How is CPC different from CPM?
CPC is the cost of one click. CPM is the cost of 1,000 impressions, whether or not anyone clicks. CPC equals CPM divided by 1,000, divided by the click-through rate.
How many clicks will my budget buy?
Divide the budget by your average CPC. A £750 budget at £1.50 per click buys 500 clicks. Choose "Clicks" above and the calculator does it for you.
Does a lower CPC always mean a better campaign?
No. Cheap clicks that never convert cost more per sale than dearer clicks that do. Judge CPC alongside conversion rate and cost per conversion.
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