Aws Load Balancer Cost Calculator

by
Reviewed and verified by: David Chen, Cloud Solutions Architect (CSA)

Use the AWS Load Balancer Cost Calculator to quickly estimate your monthly AWS bill for Application Load Balancers (ALB) or Network Load Balancers (NLB). You can determine the total monthly cost by providing the fixed and variable rates, or work backward to solve for any missing variable.

AWS Load Balancer Cost Calculator

Calculated Result: —

Calculation Details

AWS Load Balancer Cost Calculator Formula

The core formula for calculating the total monthly cost (T) of an AWS Load Balancer, based on fixed hourly charges and variable LCU charges, is:

$$T = F + (V \cdot U)$$

Where:

  • T: Total Monthly Cost
  • F: Fixed Monthly Cost (LB-Hours)
  • V: Variable Cost per LCU-Hour (LCU Rate)
  • U: Total Monthly LCU-Hours

Formula Source: AWS Load Balancer Pricing Documentation

Variables Explained

The calculation relies on three primary inputs and one derived output:

  • Fixed Monthly Cost (F): This is the flat fee based on the time the Load Balancer is provisioned, calculated as the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours in a month (usually 730).
  • LCU Rate (V): The charge applied for each Load Balancer Capacity Unit (LCU) consumed per hour. This rate often changes based on the AWS Region and tier.
  • Total Monthly LCU-Hours (U): The aggregate number of LCU-hours consumed over the billing cycle. LCU consumption is determined by the highest utilization across dimensions like new connections, active connections, bandwidth, and rule evaluations.
  • Total Monthly Cost (T): The final calculated amount you will be billed for the Load Balancer service.

Related Calculators

Explore other cloud cost and financial estimation tools:

What is AWS Load Balancer Cost?

AWS Load Balancer (ELB) costs are a critical component of any cloud infrastructure budget. They are split into two major categories: a fixed, hourly charge for every hour the load balancer is provisioned, and a variable charge based on resource consumption, measured in Load Balancer Capacity Units (LCUs).

The fixed charge ensures availability, while the variable LCU charge scales with your application’s traffic demands. For Application Load Balancers (ALB), LCU calculation is complex and uses the dimension that yields the highest capacity usage: new connections, active connections, data transfer (bandwidth), or rule processing. Understanding your LCU consumption profile is key to accurately forecasting your total monthly bill.

How to Calculate AWS Load Balancer Cost (Example)

Follow these steps to calculate the total monthly cost for an ALB:

  1. Determine Fixed Cost (F): Calculate the monthly fixed charge by multiplying the hourly rate ($0.0225) by 730 hours. Example: $0.0225 \cdot 730 = \$16.425$.
  2. Identify LCU Rate (V): Locate the per-LCU-hour rate for your specific AWS Region. Example: $\$0.008$.
  3. Estimate Total LCU-Hours (U): Estimate the total LCU-hours based on your traffic forecast. Example: 5000 LCU-Hours.
  4. Calculate Variable Cost: Multiply the LCU Rate (V) by the Total LCU-Hours (U). Example: $\$0.008 \cdot 5000 = \$40.00$.
  5. Determine Total Cost (T): Add the Fixed Cost (F) and the Variable Cost. Example: $\$16.425 + \$40.00 = \$56.425$.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an LCU in AWS Load Balancers?

An LCU, or Load Balancer Capacity Unit, is a metric used by AWS to measure the resources consumed by the load balancer. It aggregates usage based on the dimension that is utilized the most heavily, such as new connections per second, active connections, or data throughput.

Does the LCU Rate change based on region?

Yes, the fixed hourly rate and the per-LCU-hour rate vary significantly between different AWS regions. It is essential to use the correct pricing for your deployment region when making cost estimations.

What is the typical Fixed Monthly Cost (LB-Hours)?

The Fixed Monthly Cost is calculated by multiplying the hourly rate (typically around $0.0225/hour) by the 730 hours in a standard month. This amounts to approximately $16.43 per month for the fixed component.

Why would I need to solve for Total Monthly LCU-Hours (U)?

You would solve for U if you have a strict budget (Total Cost, T) and need to determine the maximum LCU capacity your infrastructure can consume while staying within that budget, given the fixed charges and LCU rate.

V}

Leave a Comment