Free tool
Break-even calculator
Updated November 6, 2026. Runs entirely in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Enter fixed costs for the period, price per unit, and variable cost per unit. You'll see units to break even (ceil), contribution margin, revenue at break-even, and one calm sentence you can adapt. This is arithmetic only—not a business plan, not a forecast, and not financial advice.
How to use the number
- Match the period: monthly fixed costs with monthly volume, yearly with yearly.
- For ROI on a one-time spend, see the free ROI calculator. For compounding sketches, see the compound interest calculator.
- When the hard part is the bill, raise, or offer call that funds the next month of fixed costs, use a script.
What to say when cash or pay is the bottleneck
Knowing the break-even sketch is step one. Saying the next line on a bill, raise, or offer call is where people freeze. The Bills Kit ($19) gives word-for-word lines for bill moments plus Call Mode. If pay is the lever that covers fixed costs, see the Offer Kit ($29). One-time purchase, 14-day refund on both.
Get the Bills Kit, $19 Get the Offer Kit, $29
How is break-even calculated?
Units to break even ≈ fixed costs ÷ (price per unit − variable cost per unit), when contribution margin is positive. Fixed costs stay roughly the same whether you sell 0 or many units; variable cost scales with each unit.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is simple arithmetic on the numbers you enter, plus a sample sentence you can adapt. It ignores taxes, inventory, credit terms, and seasonality. It is not a business plan, tax advice, or a substitute for a qualified professional.
What if price is less than variable cost?
Contribution margin is zero or negative, so there is no break-even unit count on this sketch. Raise price, cut variable cost, or rethink the offer before chasing volume.
What counts as fixed vs variable?
Fixed often includes rent, salaried payroll, software, and insurance. Variable often includes materials, shipping, and per-unit fees. Put each cost where it behaves for your business, then re-run.
Guidance only, not legal, financial, or tax advice. The calculator does simple arithmetic on the numbers you enter.