Calculator · Guide 5 of 7
Know Exactly How Many Sales Cover Rent Before the Month Starts
Find contribution per unit, units to break even, break-even revenue, and days to cover fixed costs.
Contribution
Units to break even
Break-even revenue
Days to break even
Enter monthly fixed costs, selling price, and variable cost per unit.
Quick answer
Break-even units = monthly fixed costs / (selling price - variable cost per unit). This free calculator shows contribution margin, whole units needed, the revenue that target implies, and days to break even if you add your daily sales pace - so you can plan stock and marketing before the month starts.
Break-even calculator
Results update as you type. Use Rs amounts for one typical product or package.
Enter monthly fixed costs, selling price, and variable cost per unit.
If contribution is zero or negative, raise price or cut variable cost first - more volume will not rescue a loss-making unit. Add daily capacity to see days needed. Not tax or accounting advice.
How to use the break-even calculator
- Tap a preset - cafe, boutique, or coach - to load realistic numbers, or enter your own straight away.
- Enter monthly fixed costs, your selling price per unit, and the variable cost that changes with each sale.
- Add daily capacity (optional) - how many units, orders, or clients you can realistically handle per day - to see days to break even.
- Read the insight line below the results, then plan stock, staffing, or ad spend around the unit target.
How the break-even math works
Every unit sold pays its own variable cost and leaves a leftover - the contribution. Stack enough contributions and you cover the month's fixed bill.
- •Contribution = selling price - variable cost per unit.
- •Units = fixed costs / contribution (rounded up to whole units).
- •Revenue = those units x selling price.
- •Days = units / your realistic daily sales pace, if you enter one.
Next step: log real fixed costs in the Expense Tracker, keep a calm day with daily operations, then Log costs in Expense Tracker.
Fixed vs variable - keep the split clean
Mixing rent into variable cost or forgetting packaging fees will skew units badly. Re-check the split every time your courier rate or raw material price changes.
- •Fixed: rent, base salaries, shop EMI, internet, SaaS seats.
- •Variable: fabric or ingredients per piece, box, label, per-kg courier, COD fee on that order.
- •Semi-fixed: a helper paid only on busy weeks - average it into fixed for a conservative month target.
Pair this page with the Online Store Launch Checklist so pricing and cost assumptions are ready before you go live.
Use with pricing and margin tools
Break-even answers "how many". Pricing answers "at what number". Run them together.
- •Set a target margin with the Pricing Calculator.
- •Check margin vs markup on the Profit Margin Calculator.
- •Then paste that selling price and variable cost here to size the month.
- •When you spend on ads, compare return with the ROI Calculator.
Use cases — who should run this break-even tool
Run it before rent renewals, hiring, festive stock buys, or any month where you need a clear floor for sales — not a guess.
Use case 1 · Cafe / food stall
Cover rent before the mid-week dip
Fixed Rs 45,000. Price Rs 180, variable Rs 70. Contribution Rs 110 → ~410 orders (~10 days at 40/day). Decision: added a Rs 149 combo to lift average contribution.
Preset: Cafe / food stall.
Use case 2 · Boutique apparel
Plan the mid-month WhatsApp push
Fixed Rs 60,000. Price Rs 1,299, variable Rs 650. Contribution Rs 649 → ~93 pieces (~12 days at 8/day). Decision: schedule a Status push if daily pace falls behind.
Preset: Boutique apparel.
Use case 3 · Coach / consultant
Cap slots once the floor is safe
Fixed Rs 25,000. Price Rs 2,999, variable Rs 200. Contribution Rs 2,799 → ~9 clients. Decision: stop overbooking once the monthly floor looks achievable.
Preset: Coach / consultant.
Use case 4 · Tiffin service
Smooth daily order counts
Fixed Rs 25,000. Price Rs 120/box, variable Rs 55. Contribution Rs 65 → ~385 boxes. Decision: weekly subscription plan so mid-week dips do not scare the month.
Enter your own fixed + meal economics.
Use case 5 · Salon / grooming
Raise ticket, not just footfall
Fixed Rs 55,000. Average ticket Rs 450, variable Rs 90. Contribution Rs 360 → ~153 services. Decision: push haircut + facial combos instead of chasing more walk-ins alone.
Pair with Pricing Calculator for combo math.
Use case 6 · Small D2C / manufacturing
Clear the floor with one B2B order
Fixed Rs 90,000. Price Rs 650, variable Rs 310. Contribution Rs 340 → ~265 pieces. Decision: take a bulk B2B order early, then treat retail as upside.
Re-run if hiring or EMI changes fixed costs.
Publish those prices on a Free Online Store so buyers see the same number you used in the model.
Mistakes to avoid
- •Ignoring returns and damaged stock - they raise effective variable cost.
- •Using MRP instead of the price you actually collect after discounts.
- •Forgetting owner drawings - break-even covers operating fixed costs, not lifestyle goals.
- •Assuming infinite capacity - if 400 units need two more helpers, fixed costs jump and you must re-run the tool.
Related tools and guides
Pricing Calculator
Price from cost and target margin before you count units.
Open calculator → CalculatorProfit Margin Calculator
Confirm margin and markup on the same price.
Open calculator → TemplateExpense Tracker
Feed real fixed costs into this calculator.
Open template → OperationsDaily Operations
Hit unit targets with a calm daily rhythm.
Read guide → ChecklistOnline Store Launch Checklist
Launch when costs and prices are written down.
Open checklist → GuideFree Online Store
Show the same prices you modelled here.
Open page →FAQs
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