YouTube CPM vs. YouTube RPM
YouTube reports two similar-looking but distinct metrics: CPM measures ad revenue per thousand monetized playbacks specifically — views where an ad actually ran. RPM measures total channel revenue across every source, ads included, per thousand total views, whether or not they were monetized.
CPM is the number advertisers and creators use to judge ad pricing itself; RPM is the number creators use to judge whole-channel earnings per view. See the YouTube RPM calculator for that broader figure.
YouTube CPM Formula
Divide ad revenue by monetized playbacks, then multiply by 1,000.
YouTube CPM = (Ad Revenue ÷ Monetized Playbacks) × 1,000
Worked Example
A video earns $800 in ad revenue from 200,000 monetized playbacks.
YouTube CPM = ($800 ÷ 200,000) × 1,000 = $4.00
What Affects YouTube CPM?
- Niche — finance, business, and technology content typically commands a higher CPM than gaming or general entertainment.
- Audience geography — viewers in higher-advertiser-demand countries raise CPM even at the same playback count.
- Video length and ad placement — longer videos that support mid-roll ads typically see a higher CPM than short videos limited to pre-roll only.
- Advertiser-friendliness — content flagged as limited for ads sees reduced or no ad demand, lowering CPM.
- Seasonality — CPM typically rises in Q4 as advertiser competition increases, then falls in January.
YouTube CPM Calculator FAQ
How is YouTube CPM calculated?
YouTube CPM is calculated by dividing ad revenue by monetized playbacks, then multiplying by 1,000: YouTube CPM = (Ad Revenue ÷ Monetized Playbacks) × 1,000. Enter your ad revenue and monetized playbacks above to calculate it instantly.
What's the difference between YouTube CPM and YouTube RPM?
YouTube CPM divides only ad revenue by only monetized playbacks — views that were actually eligible to show ads. YouTube RPM divides total channel revenue (ads plus memberships, Super Thanks, and more) by total views, including unmonetized ones. RPM is always the lower, more conservative figure of the two for the same channel.
Why isn't every view a "monetized playback"?
A view only counts as a monetized playback if an ad was actually shown or requested on it — views from regions with no ad demand, ad blockers, or content flagged as limited/no ads don't count, even though they still count toward total views for RPM.
Where do I find my channel's YouTube CPM?
YouTube Studio's Analytics tab reports CPM directly under the Revenue section, alongside RPM — you don't need to calculate it manually unless you're projecting a scenario that isn't in your historical data yet.