Break-Even Units Calculator for Small Businesses
Estimate how many sales you need to cover monthly fixed expenses using contribution per unit.
See what remains after product costs, shipping, and selling fees.
Estimate monthly break-even sales
Contribution per unit = sale price − all per-sale variable costs and fees. Break-even units = monthly fixed expenses ÷ positive contribution per unit, rounded up to a whole unit.
Worked example
If monthly fixed expenses are $500 and each sale contributes $12, you need 42 sales to cover those expenses. If contribution is zero or negative, selling more units cannot cover fixed expenses.
What to keep in mind
These calculations are estimates for decision support, not accounting or financial advice. Use actual fees and costs, and account for taxes, returns, discounts, and other expenses separately when applicable.
Need to compare multiple products? The Aldervant Seller Profit & Pricing Toolkit is a downloadable Excel workbook available for $29.
Calculator questions
Is this calculator free?
Yes. No account is required.
Are my inputs uploaded?
No. The calculations run in your browser. Website analytics does not collect the numbers entered into the calculator.
Are these results financial advice?
No. Results are estimates for decision support. Check actual fees, taxes, returns, and other costs.