Break-even calculator
Calculate break-even sales volume and revenue from fixed costs for the period, selling price per unit and variable cost per unit. Compare the theoretical quantity with the whole units needed after rounding up, then copy the results or save them as text. This calculation assumes one product with a constant selling price and variable cost per unit.
What you can do
Find required sales volume
View the theoretical quantity needed to cover fixed costs and the whole units needed after rounding up.
View revenue and contribution per unit
Check contribution per unit, theoretical break-even revenue and revenue from the rounded-up quantity.
Copy or save the results
Copy the calculation results together or save them as a text file.
How to use
Enter fixed costs
Enter fixed costs for the period being considered, such as a month or a year.
Enter selling price and variable cost
Enter selling price and variable cost per unit. The selling price must be greater than zero.
View required quantity and revenue
Check theoretical quantity and the whole units needed after rounding up, then compare them with the sales plan for the same period.
When this is useful
Set a sales target
Determine the sales volume and revenue needed to cover fixed costs.
Compare price and cost assumptions
Change selling price or variable cost per unit to compare their effect on the break-even point.
Calculation assumptions
Contribution and required quantity
Contribution per unit is selling price − variable cost. Fixed costs ÷ contribution per unit gives the theoretical quantity; the required whole units are rounded up.
One product sold under constant conditions
The calculation assumes one product with a constant selling price and variable cost per unit. Product mix and volume-based discounts are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when contribution per unit is zero or negative?
With positive fixed costs, the result states that these sales conditions cannot cover fixed costs. With zero fixed costs, the required quantity is zero.
Can the selling price be zero?
The selling price must be greater than zero. Fixed costs and variable cost can be zero or positive.
Can I select a currency?
No currency selection or conversion is applied. Use the same currency, amount unit and tax basis for all amounts.
Inputs and results
- Input
- Fixed costs, selling price per unit and variable cost per unit. Amounts range from 0 to 1,000,000,000,000 with at most six decimal places. Selling price must be greater than zero.
- Output
- Contribution per unit, theoretical quantity and revenue, and rounded-up quantity and revenue. Copy the results or save break-even-calculator.txt.
- Changes
- Editing an input clears the previous result. Calculate again using the new conditions.