YouTube RPM Calculator
Calculate your Revenue Per Mille (RPM) and CPM to analyze your YouTube channel's monetization performance
Find this in YouTube Analytics under Revenue → Ad impressions
How YouTube RPM & CPM Work
Understanding RPM (Revenue Per Mille)
RPM represents how much money you earn per 1,000 video views. It's calculated using:
RPM = (Estimated Revenue ÷ Total Views) × 1,000
Understanding CPM (Cost Per Mille)
CPM represents how much advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions:
CPM = (Estimated Revenue ÷ Ad Impressions) × 1,000
Key Differences
- RPM includes all revenue sources and is based on total views
- CPM only considers ad revenue and is based on ad impressions
- RPM is always lower than CPM because not every view generates an ad impression
- YouTube takes a 45% cut, which affects your final RPM
Factors Affecting RPM
- Content Niche: Finance and tech videos typically have higher RPM
- Audience Location: Viewers from US, UK, Canada generate higher revenue
- Watch Time: Longer videos with good retention earn more
- Ad Type: Skippable vs non-skippable ads affect earnings
- Season: Q4 (holiday season) typically has highest RPM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good RPM on YouTube?
A good RPM varies by niche, but generally: $1-3 is below average, $3-5 is average, $5-8 is good, and $8+ is excellent. Finance and business channels often see RPMs of $12-20, while gaming channels might see $1-4.
Why is my RPM lower than my CPM?
RPM is always lower than CPM because: (1) Not every view generates an ad impression due to ad blockers and YouTube Premium viewers, (2) YouTube takes a 45% revenue share, (3) RPM includes all monetization sources while CPM only considers ads.
How can I increase my YouTube RPM?
To increase RPM: Create longer videos (8-15 minutes) to fit more ads, target high-paying niches like finance or technology, attract viewers from high-CPM countries, improve watch time and audience retention, and enable all ad formats including mid-roll ads.
Does RPM vary by season?
Yes, RPM fluctuates significantly throughout the year. Q4 (October-December) typically has the highest RPM due to holiday advertising. January usually sees the lowest RPM. Expect 30-50% variation in RPM between peak and low seasons.
How do I find my RPM in YouTube Analytics?
Go to YouTube Studio → Analytics → Revenue tab. You'll see your RPM displayed prominently along with estimated revenue and views. You can filter by date range, geography, and content to analyze RPM performance across different segments.
What's the difference between estimated and actual revenue?
Estimated revenue in YouTube Analytics is your projected earnings before final adjustments. Actual revenue (finalized around the 15th of each month) may be 5-10% lower due to invalid traffic filtering, advertiser refunds, and final reconciliation of ad performance.
Can YouTube Shorts affect my overall RPM?
Yes, YouTube Shorts typically have much lower RPM (often $0.05-0.30) compared to long-form content ($2-10+). If you create both Shorts and long videos, your overall channel RPM will be lower. Consider tracking RPM separately for Shorts vs regular videos.
Tips to Maximize Your YouTube RPM
🎯 Target High-Value Niches
Focus on finance, business, technology, or education content which attracts higher-paying advertisers and better CPM rates.
⏱️ Create Longer Content
Videos over 8 minutes allow mid-roll ads, significantly increasing ad inventory and potential revenue per view.
🌍 Attract Global Audiences
Viewers from US, UK, Canada, and Australia generate 3-5x higher RPM than developing countries. Use English content to reach these markets.
📺 Enable All Ad Formats
Turn on display ads, overlay ads, skippable and non-skippable video ads, and mid-roll ads to maximize revenue opportunities.
⏰ Improve Watch Time
Higher audience retention means more ads watched, directly increasing RPM. Hook viewers in the first 30 seconds and maintain engagement.
📅 Leverage Seasonal Trends
Upload high-quality content in Q4 when ad rates peak. Save your best videos for October-December to maximize earnings.
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