How it Works
What is Profit Margin Calculator?
Step-by-Step Guide
- Identify Revenue: Total income from sales before any deductions.
- Isolate COGS: Direct costs attributable to the production of the goods sold (materials, direct labor).
- Calculate Profit: Subtract Cost from Revenue.
- Derive Margin: Divide Profit by Revenue and multiply by 100 to get the percentage.
Example
Input: $100 Revenue, $60 COGS
Result: 40% Gross Margin
FAQ
What is the difference between Margin and Markup?
Margin is profit as a percentage of the *sales price*. Markup is profit as a percentage of the *cost*. A 50% markup results in a 33.3% profit margin.
What is a healthy profit margin?
It varies by industry. Retail typically targets 20-50% gross margin, while SaaS (Software as a Service) often aims for 70-80% gross margin due to low variable costs.
Why is my Net Margin lower than Gross?
Net margin includes operating expenses (rent, salaries, marketing), taxes, and interest, which are not included in Gross Margin.
How can I improve my margin?
You can raise prices (if the market allows), reduce COGS by negotiating with suppliers, or improve operational efficiency to lower waste.
Can margin be negative?
Yes. If costs exceed revenue, the margin is negative, indicating a loss on every unit sold. This is sometimes acceptable for short-term growth strategies.
Conclusion
Margin is the truest measure of efficiency. High revenue with low margin is a vulnerability, as a slight increase in costs can turn the business unprofitable. Healthy businesses prioritize sustainable margins over vanity revenue metrics, allowing for reinvestment and error buffering.