CAC Payback Calculator

Estimate how long it takes to recover your customer acquisition cost (CAC) with realistic churn, ARPU, and margins.

Need a refresher on CAC, ARPU, or gross margin? Open the glossary.

Customer acquisition cost (CAC) per customer ($)

Why it matters: The cash you frontload; payback is defined by when you earn this back.

Average revenue per customer / month (ARPU) ($)

Why it matters: Determines the pace of revenue flowing back into the model.

Gross margin (%)

Revenue minus variable costs (e.g., hosting, support)

Why it matters: Only gross profit can repay CAC-low margins delay payback.

Monthly churn (%)

Why it matters: Retention dictates how long that gross profit stream lasts.

Months to simulate

Why it matters: Sets the evaluation horizon so you can compare quarters vs. years.

Share this scenario

After running a simulation, the URL encodes your inputs. Copy it to share the exact projection.

Need a starting scenario?

Load these presets to anchor planning conversations before tweaking your own numbers.

Product-led SaaS

$180 CAC, $32 ARPU, 70% margin to see if payback stays under a year.

Enterprise pilot

$1,200 CAC, $140 ARPU, 80% margin with low churn assumptions.

Membership community refresh

$95 CAC, $18 ARPU, 60% margin and 6% churn.

Ready to check your CAC payback?

Enter your assumptions to see a realistic single-cohort projection.