Podcast CPM Calculator
Typical rates by slot and type, turned into your actual revenue range.
Podcast CPM and Revenue Calculator
Enter downloads, episodes per month, and at least one ad slot to see a revenue range.
CPM ranges are typical industry figures, not quotes — Data from Sep 2026 — source. Published data for announcer-read ads doesn't reliably break out by placement the way host-read does — the same range is used for all three slots rather than inventing a split.
A small, engaged audience that actually acts on what you recommend monetizes better — and is more sustainable — than a large, disengaged one. Revenue potential isn't only about download count.
Podcast CPM (cost per 1,000 downloads) typically runs 18-25 for pre-roll, 25-40 for mid-roll, and 10-15 for post-roll host-read ads (Data from Sep 2026). Enter your downloads and ad slots below to turn these typical rates into your own revenue range.
Not sure if your downloads are competitive?
Check the download benchmark tab to see your percentile against real published data, or use the revenue calculator directly.
Growth mostly comes from promotion — repurposing your episode into short clips is one lever.
What does CPM mean for a podcast?
CPM stands for "cost per mille" — the price an advertiser pays per 1,000 downloads. A $25 CPM mid-roll on an episode with 4,000 downloads costs the advertiser roughly $100 for that one ad read.
What is the average CPM for a podcast?
There's no single average — rates vary by placement and by whether the ad is host-read or pre-recorded. Host-read mid-rolls typically run 25-40, pre-rolls 18-25, and post-rolls 10-15 (Data from Sep 2026). Treat any single "the average CPM is $X" claim skeptically.
Why is mid-roll CPM higher than pre-roll or post-roll?
Mid-roll ads reach listeners who've already committed to the episode (they didn't skip out in the first minute) and haven't started tuning out yet the way some do near the end — advertisers pay more for that attention. Pre-roll gets fewer committed listeners; post-roll gets fewer listeners overall, since some drop off before the end.
Do host-read ads really pay more than announcer-read ads?
Generally yes — host-read ads convert better because listeners trust the host's endorsement more than a separately-produced spot, so advertisers pay a premium for it. The gap isn't fixed, but host-read consistently prices above announcer-read/pre-recorded across current industry reporting.
How do I turn my downloads and CPM into actual revenue?
Revenue per episode = (downloads ÷ 1,000) × CPM, summed across every ad slot you run, then multiplied by episodes per month for a monthly figure. The calculator above does this automatically and always shows a range, not a single number, since your actual rate depends on the specific deal.