Break-even calculator: fixed costs, margin and units
Break-even math is fixed costs divided by unit margin: 10,000 fixed with price 50 and variable cost 30 gives margin 20, so 500 units and 25,000 revenue to break even. Below that you lose, above it every unit earns the margin. This calculator is built for fast, private, offline use in your browser. Every formula runs locally and is verified against official sources. You enter the key numbers, see the result instantly and check the steps.
TL;DR
- With zero margin the result is 0 units: it never breaks even.
- Formulas: units = fixed ÷ (price − variable) | revenue = units × price
- Example 1: fixed 10,000, price 50, variable 30 — Margin: 50−30 = 20
How it works
Contribution = price − variable cost; units = fixed ÷ contribution; revenue = units × price. With zero margin the result is 0 units: it never breaks even. Start with clean data, keep the same units and follow the order in the formula. The tool does the arithmetic, you choose rate, period or factor. A second example with different numbers shows how the result scales.
The math
10,000 fixed, price 50, variable 30: margin 50−30=20, units 10,000÷20=500, revenue 500×50=25,000. Zero margin (price = variable = 20): margin 0, units 0, never breaks even.
Bigger margin means fewer units. Zero margin never breaks even.
Examples
Example 1: fixed 10,000, price 50, variable 30
- Margin: 50−30 = 20
- Units: 10,000÷20 = 500
- Revenue: 500×50 = 25,000
Example 2: price = variable = 20
- Margin: 20−20 = 0
- Units: 0
- No margin means never breaking even
When to use it
✦ New product launch
Price a launch: units and revenue needed before the first profit.
✦ Freelance day rate
Cover monthly fixed costs: billable units at your margin per unit.
⚠ Common mistakes
- Forgetting variable costs: margin is price minus variable, not price alone.
- Counting revenue as profit: 25,000 revenue here still leaves 0 profit at break-even.
- Zero margin optimism: price equal to variable cost never breaks even at any volume.
FAQ (7)
Fixed 10,000, margin 20?
500 units and 25,000 revenue.
Price equals variable cost?
0 units: it never breaks even.
Raise price or cut costs?
Both widen the margin; the calculator shows which moves units more.
If I type my salary or prices here, do you store them?
No — and that's deliberate. Everything runs locally in your browser, nothing leaves your device. We don't see your net salary, your margins, or the VAT numbers you test. For a finance tool that matters: you can run a quick check on a payslip or an invoice while on public Wi-Fi and close the tab knowing no trace is kept server-side.
Can I use it on the train without signal to check an invoice?
Yes. Load the page once, then it works offline. VAT, discount and mortgage math are all pure JavaScript — no API call. I often test it in airplane mode: open the mortgage page, type 250,000 at 4.5% for 25 years, you get the schedule instantly, even in a tunnel.
Can I file taxes with these results?
Use it as a fast sanity check, not as the final filing. Formulas are standard (e.g. Net = Gross / 1+VAT) and verified against official sources listed at the bottom, but rates and thresholds change — Italy's 22% vs Germany's 19%, or IRPEF brackets. For the actual declaration, double-check with your accountant or Agenzia delle Entrate / HMRC / IRS.
How do I send a calculation to my accountant?
Hit 'Share Link' under the results. It encodes the inputs in the URL — e.g. ?price=1200&vat=22 — so your accountant opens the exact same view, no screenshot needed. You can also copy the result with one tap and paste it into an email.
Sources & References
⚠ Financial Disclaimer
This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Results may vary based on local regulations, rates, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How this calculator is maintained
This calculator is written and maintained by Davide Coronese, independent developer and founder of CalcTracker.
Methodology: every formula is checked against official publications and validated by an automated test suite before release. Health, tax and finance pages cite the exact sources they rely on.
Found an error? Contact us — verified corrections ship within 24 hours.