How to use the CPC calculator
CPC is what one click costs: ad spend ÷ clicks. The denominator is clicks rather than impressions, so plenty of impressions with few clicks pushes CPC up. Keep spend and clicks on the same period and the same set of campaigns.
Add a conversion rate and the tool applies CPA = CPC ÷ conversion rate. A $2.00 CPC at a 3% rate means about $67 per conversion. At the same CPC a weaker rate raises CPA sharply, so bidding purely for a lower CPC is not always the better trade.
The rate used here is measured on clicks. Analytics tools that divide by sessions or users will report a different number, so note which basis you entered before comparing. Leave the field blank and only CPC is shown.
Frequently asked questions
CPA = CPC divided by conversion rate. At a 3% rate, 100 clicks bring 3 conversions, so CPA is roughly 33 times CPC. Enter your rate and the tool shows it directly.
A bid is the maximum you are willing to pay, while the auction usually charges less. Actual CPC has to be worked out from reported spend divided by reported clicks.