Podcast CPM Revenue

Revenue = (downloads / 1000) × CPM × ad slots.

Inputs

Pre-roll: $15-25. Mid-roll: $25-50. Niche/B2B: $50-100+.

Result

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General calculation reads

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How Not to Be Wrong
Jordan Ellenberg - math thinking
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The Joy of X
Steven Strogatz - accessible math
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Scientific calculator (Casio fx-991EX)
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How to use this calculator

  • Enter download count + CPM + ad slots.
  • Episodes per month for monthly view.

About this calculator

Podcast monetization scales with downloads × CPM (cost per mille = per 1000 listens) × number of ad slots. Pre-roll (start of episode): $15-25 CPM. Mid-roll (during): $25-40. Programmatic ad networks (Spotify, Acast): lower CPM but easy. Direct sponsorships: 2-3× CPM but require sales work. A 10k-download show with 2 mid-rolls at $30 CPM earns $600/episode.

Frequently asked

CPM vs. CPA?+
CPM: paid per impression. CPA: paid per action (e.g. visit, signup). Most podcast deals are CPM but premium shows negotiate hybrid.
Why mid-roll worth more?+
Listener already engaged; less likely to skip. Pre-rolls easy to skip; less attention.
Realistic downloads to monetize?+
Programmatic: 1k+ downloads viable. Direct sponsors: usually want 5k+ per episode minimum.
Patreon / direct support?+
Many shows skip ads for direct fan support. $5/mo from 2% of audience often beats CPM ads.
Production cost?+
Equipment + editing time. Solo: 2-4 hrs/episode. Outsourced editing: $50-200/ep. Subtract from gross.

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