Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

CAC measures the average cost to acquire one paying customer over a period. Formula: CAC = Total sales & marketing spend ÷ New customers acquired.

Inputs
Enter period spend and new customers acquired.
Summary
Average acquisition cost for the period.
CAC
$125.00
Spend
$15,000.00
New customers
120

CAC basics

Track CAC over time and by acquisition channel to optimize efficiency.

How to use the calculator

  1. Enter period sales & marketing spend and new customers acquired.
  2. Monitor CAC by cohort (campaign, channel, geography).
  3. Compare CAC to CLTV for sustainability.

Related metrics

  • CLTV/CAC ratio
  • CAC payback period
  • Activation and retention rates