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Break-Even Calculator

Find the units and revenue you need to cover your costs before you make a profit.

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Costs that don't change with volume (rent, tools, your draw).

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$

Units to break even

67

$3,350.00 in revenue

Contribution margin / unit$30.00
Break-even units67
Break-even revenue$3,350.00

The number that tells you if a price works

Break-even is the point where total revenue equals total cost — the first unit beyond it is profit. It is driven by your contribution margin: the price of one unit minus the variable cost of making or delivering it. Divide your fixed costs by that margin and you have the units you must sell.

If the contribution margin is zero or negative, no volume saves you — each sale loses money, and the price or cost structure has to change first.

Using it to set a price

Flip the question around: pick a sales volume you believe is realistic, and the calculator's break-even tells you whether your current price clears your fixed costs at that volume. If break-even sits above what you can plausibly sell, raise the price or cut fixed costs.

Frequently asked questions

What is contribution margin?
The selling price of one unit minus its variable cost. It is the amount each sale contributes toward covering fixed costs and, beyond break-even, toward profit.
What if I never break even?
If your price is at or below your variable cost per unit, the contribution margin is zero or negative and volume cannot help. You must raise the price or reduce the per-unit cost.
Do fixed costs include my own time?
They can. If you pay yourself a fixed draw, include it in fixed costs so break-even reflects the revenue you genuinely need.
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Last updated 2026-06-02.