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CPA Calculator
DIRECT ANSWER
CPA (cost per acquisition) = total cost ÷ conversions. It's what you pay to acquire one customer or conversion. This free calculator returns your CPA instantly. Keep CPA below your customer lifetime value (LTV) to grow profitably.
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How CPA is calculated
CPA = Total cost ÷ Conversions. Spend $5,000 to get 100 conversions and your CPA is $50.
CPA ties spend directly to outcomes, which makes it one of the most decision-useful paid metrics. The key question isn't 'is CPA low?' but 'is CPA below the value of what I acquired?'
CPA vs LTV — the ratio that matters
A CPA is only 'good' relative to lifetime value. A common healthy guide is an LTV:CPA ratio around 3:1 — you earn roughly three times what it costs to acquire. If CPA approaches or exceeds LTV, growth burns cash. Always evaluate CPA against LTV and payback period.
FAQ
Questions
What is CPA?
Cost per acquisition — the average cost to win one conversion or customer.
What's a good CPA?
One comfortably below your customer lifetime value. A ~3:1 LTV:CPA ratio is a common healthy benchmark; the right number depends on your margins and payback period.
CPA vs CAC?
They're closely related; CPA often refers to a single conversion/action, while CAC (customer acquisition cost) usually includes fuller sales+marketing cost to win a paying customer.
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