SumtrailCheck the numbers yourself

Home / Business / Break-even calculator

Break-even calculator

Know how much you must sell before your business makes a profit.

Reviewed by the Sumtrail editorial team. Rules last checked 3 October 2026. How we check our numbers

Break-even calculator

How many units you need to sell to cover your costs, and to reach a profit target.

For the period you are checking, such as a month.
Stock, materials or delivery for each unit.

The formula

Break-even units = fixed costs ÷ (selling price − cost per unit)

Worked example

Fixed costs of 60,000 a month, a price of 500 and a cost per unit of 300 leave 200 profit on each unit. You need 60,000 ÷ 200 = 300 units a month, or 150,000 in sales, to break even. To make 20,000 profit, you need 400 units.

Related guides

Common questions

What counts as a fixed cost?

Costs that stay the same however much you sell, such as rent, salaries, software and loan payments.

What if my price is lower than my cost per unit?

Then every sale loses money and there is no break-even point. Raise the price or lower the cost per unit.