United States version
How it works
Calculate acquisition cost using a matched spending window and paying-customer cohort rather than divide by every new sign-up.
This is the United States planning view, with monetary inputs and outputs in USD. A currency label does not establish that a tax rate, construction price, coverage rule or legal limit has been verified locally. The inputs and limitations below describe the actual scope.
Input query strings and outputs
Use an input name in this page’s URL as ?name=value, and join additional inputs with &. Portable shared links may instead use the compact ?ac= state parameter.
Input query strings
4-
?spend=Fully scoped acquisition spending in the chosen cohort windowMoney · Required · Default: 30,000
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?newCustomers=New paying customers attributed to that spendingNumber · Required · Default: 100
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?ltv=Comparable contribution LTVMoney · Required · Default: 1,200
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?monthlyGrossProfit=Monthly gross profit per new customerMoney · Required · Default: 60
Outputs
3-
cacCost per acquired paying customerCurrency · Primary output · Currency: USD
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ltvCacContribution LTV / CACNumber
-
paybackSimple gross-profit payback, monthsNumber
Formula
CAC = scoped acquisition spending ÷ attributable new paying customers.
Calculations retain numeric precision internally. Displayed values are rounded for readability. Quantities that must be purchased as whole units are rounded up only where the formula explicitly requires it.
Read the inputs before calculating
- Fully scoped acquisition spending in the chosen cohort window: Enter the quantity described by the label.
- New paying customers attributed to that spending: Enter the quantity described by the label.
- Comparable contribution LTV: Enter the quantity described by the label.
- Monthly gross profit per new customer: Enter the quantity described by the label.
Reproducible worked example
The following is a fictional arithmetic example, not a local quote, a verified claimant or a market forecast. Its values are included so the formula can be checked. The form does not automatically confirm any verification checkbox.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Fully scoped acquisition spending in the chosen cohort window | 30,000 |
| New paying customers attributed to that spending | 100 |
| Comparable contribution LTV | 1,200 |
| Monthly gross profit per new customer | 60 |
| Output | Calculated result |
|---|---|
| Cost per acquired paying customer | USD 300 |
| Contribution LTV / CAC | 4 |
| Simple gross-profit payback, months | 5 |
Interpreting a changed assumption
Start with one complete scenario and change only one input when diagnosing a difference. Recheck units, the period of every rate, whether an amount is recurring or one-off, and whether a cost is already included elsewhere. A larger calculated benefit is not evidence that an assumption is more likely to occur.
Limitations
- Inputs are explicit management assumptions. This is not a valuation opinion, tax filing, employment-law assessment or investment recommendation.
- Choose paid or blended CAC explicitly in the spending scope. Sales labor, overhead, attribution lag, organic customers and channel mix must be treated consistently with the LTV cohort.
Frequently asked questions
What does this Customer Acquisition Cost result represent?
Calculate acquisition cost using a matched spending window and paying-customer cohort rather than divide by every new sign-up. It applies the displayed formula to your inputs; it does not infer omitted facts.
Are the starting amounts verified United States prices or legal rules?
No. Numeric defaults are illustrative unless an input or dated reference explicitly identifies a researched component. Currency is USD; local quotes, eligibility and unsupported rules must be entered and verified separately.
What must I check before relying on the result?
Inputs are explicit management assumptions. This is not a valuation opinion, tax filing, employment-law assessment or investment recommendation.
Can I compare or share different assumptions?
Change one assumption at a time and use the browser-local project or share controls. A shared URL contains the encoded input values; do not include information you do not wish to disclose.
Sources and reference scope
- Stripe CAC payback method — retrieved 2026-09-25. Matched acquisition cost, new customers and contribution payback; no benchmark target is inferred.
- Stripe customer lifetime value — retrieved 2026-09-25. LTV must use a comparable customer cohort and contribution basis.
These references support only their stated scope. They are not evidence that every local rule or price needed by the master expansion has been loaded.