CAC & LTV Calculator

Work out your customer acquisition cost and lifetime value, then see the all-important LTV:CAC ratio and payback period with a health verdict. Free CAC & LTV calculator for founders and marketers.

Acquisition

Customer value

LTV : CAC ratio

8.6 : 1

Healthy

CAC (cost to acquire)$50.00
LTV (lifetime value)$432.00
Payback period0.3 yr

A widely used benchmark is an LTV:CAC of 3:1 or higher. Below 1:1 you lose money on every customer.

How to use the CAC & LTV Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter marketing spend and new customers for CAC.

  2. 2

    Add order value, frequency, lifespan and margin for LTV.

  3. 3

    See your LTV:CAC ratio and payback period.

  4. 4

    Aim for 3:1 or better.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good LTV:CAC ratio?

3:1 is a common healthy benchmark. Much higher can mean you're under-investing in growth; below 1:1 means you lose money per customer.

How is LTV calculated here?

Average order value × orders per year × average lifespan × gross margin — giving the profit a typical customer generates over their lifetime.

What's payback period?

How long it takes the profit from a customer to recover the cost of acquiring them — shorter is better for cash flow.

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