How to Calculate Ad Revenue — RPM, CPM & Earnings Formula
Ad revenue is calculated using RPM (Revenue Per Mille) — the amount earned per 1,000 views or pageviews. The formula is simple: Ad Revenue = (Views ÷ 1,000) × RPM. But understanding CPM vs RPM, platform cuts, and niche differences is what separates creators who maximize earnings from those who leave money on the table.
Ad Revenue Formulas
Ad Revenue
(Total Views ÷ 1,000) × RPM
Example: (100,000 ÷ 1,000) × $8 = $800
RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
(Total Revenue ÷ Total Views) × 1,000
Example: ($800 ÷ 100,000) × 1,000 = $8 RPM
Creator Net Revenue
Gross Revenue × (1 − Platform Cut %)
Example: $800 × (1 − 0.45) = $440 (YouTube)
Ad Revenue Calculator
Gross Revenue
$800
Platform Cut (32%)
−$256
Your Revenue
$544
Ad Revenue by Platform — 2024 Comparison
| Platform | Avg RPM | Platform Cut | 100k Views Est. | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | $3–$15 | 45% | $165–$825 | YPP: 1k subs + 4k hours |
| Blog (AdSense) | $3–$10 | 32% | $204–$680 | None |
| Blog (Mediavine) | $15–$30 | 25% | $1,125–$2,250 | 50k sessions/mo |
| Blog (Raptive) | $20–$40 | 25% | $1,500–$3,000 | 100k pageviews/mo |
| TikTok | $0.02–$1 | 50% | $1–$50 | 10k followers |
| Podcast (Spotify) | $15–$25 | 30% | $1,050–$1,750 | Spotify for Podcasters |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RPM in ad revenue?
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is the revenue earned per 1,000 pageviews or video views. It's the most important metric for content monetization. RPM = (Total Revenue ÷ Total Views) × 1,000.
What is the difference between CPM and RPM?
CPM (Cost Per Mille) is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. RPM is what publishers/creators actually receive per 1,000 views — after the platform takes its cut (Google/YouTube takes 32–45%).
How do I increase my ad revenue RPM?
Key strategies: target high-CPM niches (finance, tech, B2B), focus on US/UK/AU traffic (pays 3–5× more), improve page speed, add more ad placements, use premium ad networks (Mediavine, Raptive), and create longer content.
What ad network pays the most?
For blogs: Mediavine ($15–$30 RPM) and Raptive/AdThrive ($20–$40 RPM) pay the most but require 50k–100k monthly sessions. For YouTube: AdSense pays $1–$15 RPM. For apps: ironSource and AppLovin pay $5–$50 eCPM.
How do I calculate my monthly ad revenue?
Monthly Ad Revenue = (Monthly Views ÷ 1,000) × RPM. Example: 200,000 monthly views at $8 RPM = (200,000 ÷ 1,000) × $8 = $1,600/month.
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