Cross-Border Seller Calculators

Break-Even ACOS Calculator

Find the highest advertising cost of sales your margin can support before profit reaches zero.

01

Calculator inputs

Profit remaining before advertising spend.

The share of break-even capacity used for the target.

02

Calculation results

Enter your inputs, then select Calculate to view the results.

Formula

Break-even ACOS formula

Break-even ACOS equals pre-advertising profit divided by selling price.

Pre-ad profit ÷ selling price × 100%Break-even ACOS

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter commercial inputs

    Enter the selling price and all non-advertising costs so the calculator can determine pre-ad profit.

  2. Compare ACOS thresholds

    Review break-even ACOS against your current and target advertising cost of sales.

  3. Set a safer target

    Use the threshold for planning and leave a margin for returns, taxes, and other unmodeled costs.

Worked example

Example inputs

Selling price
$40
Pre-ad profit
$10

Calculation

$10 ÷ $40 × 100% = 25%.

What the result means

25% break-even ACOS.

How to use the result

ACOS below 25% leaves profit before unmodeled costs; 25% produces zero profit; above 25% loses money.

Common mistakes

  • Using profit after advertising instead of pre-ad profit.
  • Setting target ACOS exactly at break-even with no safety margin.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Should my target ACOS equal break-even ACOS?

Usually no. A lower target leaves room for profit and normal cost variation.