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Finance formula

How to calculate break-even point

Break-even point tells you how many units you need to sell before profit reaches zero.

See the formulaOpen calculator
Direct answer
Formula
Break-even units = fixed costs / (price per unit - variable cost per unit)

Use the table below to match each symbol with the right input. Keep units consistent before you start.

Break-even point formula
Start here when you only need the equation and variable names.
Formula
Break-even units = fixed costs / (price per unit - variable cost per unit)

Break-even point tells you how many units you need to sell before profit reaches zero.

Variable meanings
Check each symbol, meaning, and unit before you calculate.
SymbolNameDescriptionUnit
fixed costsFixed costsCosts that do not change with each unit sold.currency
price per unitSelling priceRevenue from one unit.currency per unit
variable cost per unitVariable costCost that changes with one unit sold.currency per unit
When to use this formula
Check that your situation matches the formula before you trust the result.
  • Helpful before launching a product, changing price, or estimating the sales volume needed to cover fixed costs.
Step-by-step method
Follow these steps when you are solving it by hand.
  1. 1Find fixed costs for the period.
  2. 2Subtract variable cost per unit from selling price per unit.
  3. 3Divide fixed costs by contribution margin per unit.
  4. 4Round up when you need whole units.
Examples
These sample numbers show the order of operations and units.
Simple product
fixed costs
$12,000
price per unit
$50
variable cost per unit
$20
  1. 1.Contribution margin = 50 - 20 = 30
  2. 2.Break-even units = 12000 / 30
  3. 3.Break-even units = 400
Result
The break-even point is 400 units.
Lower price product
fixed costs
$7,500
price per unit
$35
variable cost per unit
$15
  1. 1.Contribution margin = 35 - 15 = 20
  2. 2.Break-even units = 7500 / 20
  3. 3.Break-even units = 375
Result
The break-even point is 375 units.
Mistakes to avoid
Small input or unit errors can change the answer a lot.
  • Using an annual rate where the break-even point formula needs a monthly or period rate.
  • Entering 8 instead of 0.08 when the formula calls for a decimal rate.
  • Comparing results across different time periods without converting them first.
  • Rounding each step instead of rounding the final answer.
Open the Break-even Analysis Calculator
Open the calculator for the answer without rewriting the formula.

Enter your values in the related calculator, then compare the output with the hand method above.

Open Break-even Analysis Calculator
FAQs
Short answers for common formula questions.
Can I calculate Break-even point by hand?

Yes. Write the units next to each value, convert rates or measurements first, and round only the final answer.

Why does my Break-even point result differ from another calculator?

Most differences come from rounding, unit conversions, rate timing, or a slightly different version of the formula.

When is the Break-Even Analysis Calculator better than hand math?

Open the Break-Even Analysis Calculator to check several scenarios or skip the hand arithmetic.