How to use the calculator
- Enter views per day or per month, and say which one you entered.
- Replace the example RPMs with your own. You'll find RPM in YouTube Studio under Analytics, then Revenue.
- Add scenarios to compare, for example your current RPM against a channel in a different niche.
RPM vs CPM
RPM (revenue per mille) is what a creator earns per 1,000 views, after YouTube's share, counting every view whether or not an ad played. CPM (cost per mille) is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions, before YouTube's share. RPM is always lower than CPM, and it's the right number for estimating your own income, which is why this calculator uses it.
The formula
Estimated revenue = views ÷ 1,000 × RPM
Example: 250,000 views in a month at an RPM of $2.40 gives 250,000 ÷ 1,000 × 2.40 = $600 for that month. Over a year at the same pace: $600 × 12 = $7,200. Monthly figures use an average month of 365 ÷ 12 ≈ 30.42 days, so daily × 30.42 equals the monthly figure.
Why real earnings differ
- Audience location. Advertisers pay different amounts in different countries.
- Topic. Some subjects attract more advertisers than others.
- Season. Ad demand rises and falls through the year, typically peaking before holidays.
- Monetisation status and format. Only channels in the YouTube Partner Program earn ad revenue, and Shorts revenue is shared differently from long-form videos.
- Viewer behaviour. Ad blockers, video length and how many ads play all change the result.
We don't publish “average RPM” tables: figures that circulate online are rarely sourced and vary widely. Your own Analytics is the only reliable input.
Worked example: comparing three scenarios
Say a channel averages 8,000 views a day. Monthly views are 8,000 × 30.42 ≈ 243,360. With three RPM scenarios:
- $1.00 RPM: 243,360 ÷ 1,000 × 1.00 ≈ $243 a month.
- $2.50 RPM: ≈ $608 a month.
- $5.00 RPM: ≈ $1,217 a month.
The same views produce a five-fold difference, which is why your own RPM matters far more than any average. Compare what happens if you grow views by 20% versus finding a 20% higher RPM: both raise revenue by exactly 20%.
Where to find your RPM
In YouTube Studio, open Analytics, then the Revenue tab. RPM is shown for the selected period; switch the period to the last 90 or 365 days for a steadier figure. You can also see RPM per video in the advanced view, which helps when your long videos and Shorts earn very differently.
Long videos vs Shorts
Long-form ads and Shorts feed ads are paid differently, so model them separately. For Shorts use the Shorts money calculator, and read how much YouTube pays per 1,000 views for the background. Not monetised yet? The monetization calculator shows how far you are from the Partner Program.
Frequently asked questions
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
That's your RPM, and it varies by channel. Monetised creators can see their exact RPM in YouTube Analytics. Enter it here to project earnings.
Is this what my channel will earn?
No. It's an estimate that multiplies the numbers you enter. Actual payments depend on YouTube, advertisers and your audience.
Can I calculate someone else's earnings?
You can enter their public view counts, but you don't know their RPM, so treat the result as a rough range. Try several RPM scenarios to see the spread.
Does this include sponsorships or memberships?
No. It only estimates ad revenue counted in RPM. Sponsorships, merchandise and affiliate income are separate.
Is my data saved?
No. The maths runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent. See how our tools work.
Why is my RPM lower than my CPM?
CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions before YouTube's share. RPM is your share spread across all views, including views where no ad played.
How many views do I need to make $1,000 a month?
Divide 1,000 by your RPM and multiply by 1,000. At a $2.50 RPM that's 400,000 monthly views; at $5.00 it's 200,000.