Break-Even Calculator
Calculate how many units you need to sell to break even. See the break-even point in units, months, and revenue.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Break-Even Chart (Revenue vs Costs)
Click chart to expand
Cumulative Profit Over Time
Click chart to expand
Monthly Economics
Click chart to expand
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
20% higher sales, 5% higher price
At stated values
20% lower sales, 10% lower price
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Break-Even Units/mo across its full range. Price/Unit has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Price/Unit — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The result swings widely between best and worst cases — it depends heavily on assumptions that are hard to predict.
Monthly Profit: -€5,500 (worst) → -€3,500 (expected) → -€1,700 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator finds the point where your business revenue equals total costs — the break-even point. It shows how many units and how many months it takes to start making profit.
How the calculation works
The contribution margin is price minus variable cost per unit. Break-even units = fixed costs / contribution margin. Break-even time = break-even units / monthly units sold.
Formula
Contribution Margin = Price - Variable Cost Break-Even Units = Fixed Costs / Contribution Margin Break-Even Months = Break-Even Units / Monthly Units Monthly Profit = (Margin × Units) - Fixed Costs
Example
Fixed costs €5,000/month, price €50, variable cost €20. Margin = €30. Break-even = 167 units. At 200 units/month, break-even in 0.83 months. Monthly profit = €1,000.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Break-Even Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
The contribution margin is price minus variable cost per unit. Break-even units = fixed costs / contribution margin. Break-even time = break-even units / monthly units sold.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Fixed costs €5,000/month, price €50, variable cost €20. Margin = €30. Break-even = 167 units. At 200 units/month, break-even in 0.83 months. Monthly profit = €1,000.
Factors to Consider
- Fixed costs include rent, salaries, software, insurance
- Variable costs include materials, shipping, payment processing
- Seasonal businesses may have months below break-even
- Price changes and cost increases shift the break-even point
- Include owner salary in fixed costs for a realistic picture
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to include owner salary in fixed costs
- Underestimating variable costs (shipping, fees, returns)
- Not accounting for seasonality
- Assuming constant sales — real businesses have variance
- Ignoring customer acquisition costs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is contribution margin?+
Contribution margin is the amount each sale contributes to covering fixed costs, after deducting variable costs. It is price minus variable cost per unit.
What is a good break-even point?+
It depends on your industry. A lower break-even (fewer units or less time) is better. Compare break-even to your actual sales capacity to assess viability.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
Related Calculators
Explore other tools that might help with your decision.