Use the YouTube Ad Revenue Calculator to estimate your potential monthly income from monetized video views, factoring in your average RPM (Revenue Per Mille) and the platform’s standard revenue share.
YouTube Ad Revenue Calculator
YouTube Ad Revenue Calculator Formula
The estimated monthly revenue ($M$) is calculated using the following basic formula:
M = (V / 1000) × R × (S / 100)
Where:
- M = Estimated Monthly Revenue
- V = Monthly Estimated Views
- R = Estimated RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
- S = Creator Revenue Share Percentage
Formula Sources:
Official YouTube Partner Program Terms | Google Creator Tools Monetization Overview
Variables Explained
- Monthly Estimated Views (V): The total number of unique video plays you expect your channel to receive in a typical month.
- Estimated RPM (R): Revenue Per Mille (thousand). This is the revenue generated per 1,000 video views. This value varies heavily based on niche, audience geography, ad type, and seasonal trends.
- Creator Revenue Share Percentage (S): The percentage of ad revenue that the creator retains after YouTube’s platform fee. The standard split is 55% for the creator (55) and 45% for YouTube.
Related Calculators
Explore other financial metrics relevant to digital content creation and business:
- Cost Per Acquisition Calculator
- Customer Lifetime Value Calculator
- Advertising Impression Forecaster
- Affiliate Commission Estimator
What is YouTube Ad Revenue?
YouTube ad revenue represents the income a content creator earns from advertisements placed on their videos. This monetization channel is primarily available through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which requires channels to meet specific eligibility criteria (such as subscriber count and watch hours). Once accepted, revenue is generated when viewers interact with ads (e.g., clicking or watching for a set duration).
It’s crucial to distinguish between CPM (Cost Per Mille) and RPM (Revenue Per Mille). CPM is what advertisers pay YouTube for 1,000 ad impressions, while RPM is the actual amount the creator receives for every 1,000 video views *after* YouTube takes its share. The revenue model is complex and influenced by factors like viewer demographics (e.g., viewers in the US or UK generally generate higher RPMs than those in developing countries) and the content’s niche (e.g., finance and technology niches often see higher ad rates).
How to Calculate YouTube Ad Revenue (Example)
- Establish the Variables: Assume you have 600,000 Monthly Views (V), an Estimated RPM of $7.50 (R), and the standard 55% Creator Share (S).
- Calculate Thousands of Views: Divide the total views by 1,000. $600,000 \div 1,000 = 600$ (Thousands of views).
- Calculate Total Pre-Split Ad Value: Multiply the thousands of views by the RPM. $600 \times \$7.50 = \$4,500$ (Total ad value).
- Apply the Creator Share: Multiply the total ad value by the creator’s percentage share (55% or 0.55). $\$4,500 \times 0.55 = \$2,475$.
- Final Result: The estimated monthly ad revenue is $2,475.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a good RPM on YouTube?
A good RPM is subjective but typically ranges from $3 to $10. Niche channels in finance, real estate, and B2B technology can often achieve RPMs of $15 or higher, while general entertainment niches might be lower.
Does a high RPM mean more money?
Yes, all else being equal. RPM is a direct measure of efficiency. However, a channel with a lower RPM but significantly higher monthly views may still earn more than a channel with a high RPM and very few views. Both volume and efficiency matter.
How often does YouTube pay creators?
YouTube pays creators on a monthly basis. Earnings accrue over the month, and payments are typically processed between the 21st and 26th of the following month, provided the minimum payment threshold (usually $100) is met.
Why is my estimated revenue different from my final payment?
Estimated revenue (often shown in real-time analytics) can change due to invalid traffic, deductions for advertisers, or final adjustments for taxes and currency conversion. The final payment shown in AdSense is the authoritative figure.