For Etsy, Shopify and any online shop
Break-even calculator
Find how many sales a month you need to cover your fixed costs, and how many more it takes to reach your profit target.
Rates checked October 6, 2026
Results update as you type.
Your saved defaults are loaded.
Your numbers
Monthly fixed costs and the economics of one sale.
Costs you pay whatever you sell: plans, apps, software, rent.
What one sale brings in.
Product, shipping, packaging, fees and ads for one sale.
How much you want to make on top.
Break-even sales per month
—
Full breakdown
Every amount for one sale, with its share of the total.
| Item | Amount | Share |
|---|
How to calculate your break-even point
Contribution per unit = selling price − variable cost per unit
Break-even units = fixed costs ÷ contribution per unit
Fixed costs stay the same however much you sell: your Shopify plan, apps, software and similar monthly bills. Variable costs come with each sale: the product, shipping, packaging, platform fees and ads.
Worked example
A shop pays $500 a month in fixed costs. Each item sells for $35 and costs $20.95 to make, ship and sell, leaving $14.05 per sale.
- Break-even: $500 ÷ $14.05 = 35.6, so 36 sales a month, or $1,260 in revenue.
- For $1,000 profit: ($500 + $1,000) ÷ $14.05 = 106.8, so 107 sales a month.
How to lower your break-even point
- Cut fixed costs. Cancel apps and tools you don't use; each $10 a month saved lowers the units you need.
- Raise contribution per sale with a higher price, cheaper supplies or bundles that share one shipping label.
- Watch ad costs per sale. Ads are a variable cost; if they rise, so does your break-even point.
Not sure of your variable cost? The profit calculator gives total costs and fees per sale, and the break-even guide explains each step.
Frequently asked questions
What is a break-even point?
The number of sales at which your income exactly covers your costs. Below it you lose money; above it every sale adds profit.
How do I calculate break-even units?
Divide monthly fixed costs by the contribution per unit, which is price minus variable cost. $500 ÷ $14.05 = 36 units.
What counts as a fixed cost for an online store?
Monthly plans, apps, software subscriptions, website costs and any rent or salaries that don't change with sales.
Why can't I break even?
If each sale costs more than it brings in, no volume will cover fixed costs. Raise the price or cut variable costs first.