Ad Break-even & ROAS Calculator
Before running ads, one number matters: how many orders does it take to cover what you're spending? Enter your budget and margins — get your break-even order count and the minimum ROAS your ads must hit.
Simulate by CPC + conversion rate (optional)
Break-even examples, computed
Each run through this exact calculator with realistic Etsy margins:
| $50 Etsy Ads budget, $24.99 mug, $14.27 cost/order | break even at 4.66 orders · ROAS 2.33x |
| $100 weekly budget, $34.99 print, $20.50 cost/order | break even at 6.9 orders · ROAS 2.41x |
| $30 daily budget, $45.00 hoodie, $27.00 cost/order | break even at 1.67 orders · ROAS 2.5x |
Use the Etsy Fee Calculator to find your exact cost per order — add that to your product cost and you have the number to enter above.
How to read your break-even ROAS
Break-even ROAS = your sale price ÷ your profit per order. On a $25 mug where you keep $10.72 after all Etsy fees and product cost, you need a 2.33x ROAS just to not lose money on ads. Every dollar of revenue below that threshold costs you more in ad spend than it returns in profit. The table above shows exactly where you start making money and how fast profit grows past that point.
For context on whether Etsy Ads or Offsite Ads makes more sense for your shop, see our Etsy Offsite Ads guide. To set a price that survives an ad-attributed sale, use the Etsy Pricing Calculator with the Offsite Ads toggle on.
Frequently asked questions
What is ROAS and why does it matter for Etsy sellers?
ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) is revenue generated per dollar spent on ads. A 2.0x ROAS means every $1 in ads returned $2 in sales. But ROAS alone doesn't tell you if you're profitable — a 2x ROAS on a 40% margin product makes money, while the same ROAS on a 10% margin product is a loss. Break-even ROAS tells you the minimum ROAS needed to cover your ad spend given your actual margins.
What break-even ROAS should I target on Etsy Ads?
Your break-even ROAS = your sale price ÷ your profit per order (after product cost and Etsy fees). A product with $10 profit on a $25 sale needs a 2.5x ROAS just to break even — any ROAS below that loses money. Aim for at least 1.5–2× your break-even ROAS to leave room for slow days.
How do I find my cost per order for this calculator?
Cost per order = your product cost (COGS + shipping) + all platform fees before ad spend. For Etsy, that's roughly 9.5% + $0.45 on top of your item cost. The easiest way: use the Etsy Fee Calculator to see the exact fee total, then add your product cost. That sum is your cost per order.
When should I pause Etsy Ads?
Pause when your actual ROAS stays below break-even for 30+ days with no downward trend in CPC — you're burning money with no path to profitability. Before pausing, check your cost per order: ads that looked profitable before accounting for all Etsy fees often aren't. Also consider: seasonality can skew short windows, so look at 4-week trends, not single days.
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