Podcast episode revenue calculator
See what your ad slots are worth — and what growing your downloads would mean for annual income.
Podcast episode revenue calculator
Revenue breakdown
Monthly income
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Growth scenarios — annual income
Beyond CPM: other income streams
Ad CPM is highly variable month to month depending on advertiser demand and whether you fill all slots. Most shows with 2,000+ downloads per episode earn more reliably from a combination of sources: one anchor sponsor at a fixed monthly rate, listener support via Patreon (which smooths income), and occasional affiliate commissions. The CPM model alone requires constant re-booking and is sensitive to ad market downturns.
About this tool
Enter episodes per month, average 30-day downloads per episode, and your niche to set a typical CPM. Toggle pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ad slots. The tool shows revenue per episode, current monthly income, and a growth projection table showing what different monthly download growth rates are worth over 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
What download count do I need before I can sell ads?
Most direct ad networks and sponsorship marketplaces (Spotify Audience Network, Advertise Cast, AdvertiseCast, Podcorn) have minimums. A common floor is 1,000 downloads per episode within the first 30 days — the standard measurement window. Below that, your best options are host-read affiliate deals (percentage of sales rather than CPM), Patreon/listener support, or course/product promotion to your own audience. At 5,000+ downloads per episode you become attractive to most brand sponsors.
How is podcast CPM calculated?
Podcast CPM is priced on 30-day downloads — the number of times the episode was downloaded within 30 days of publication. It is not based on plays or completions. The industry standard measurement window is set by the IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines. If you have 8,000 downloads per episode within 30 days and your CPM is $25, a mid-roll earns $200 per episode ($25 × 8 = $200).
What is the difference between pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll?
Pre-roll ads run at the very beginning of the episode (typically 15–30 seconds). They get the highest listener exposure but lowest completion, so they're priced at roughly 80% of mid-roll rates. Mid-roll ads run in the middle of the episode — when audience retention is highest. They command the full CPM and are the most valuable slot. Post-roll ads come at the end and are often skipped; they're typically priced at 50–65% of mid-roll. Most shows that carry ads include one mid-roll plus optionally a pre-roll.
Should I use a host-read or dynamically inserted ad?
Host-read ads (scripted by the host in their own voice) consistently outperform dynamically inserted ads on brand recall and conversion — typically 2–3× better. Brands pay a premium for host-read placements. Dynamically inserted ads scale better and allow you to monetise back catalogue, but the CPM is lower and listener trust is weaker. Most successful shows use host-read ads for direct sponsor relationships and reserve dynamic insertion for a second mid-roll or back catalogue inventory.
How do I find sponsors?
Three approaches work: direct outreach to brands your audience already buys from (highest CPM, no platform take), podcast ad networks (Advertise Cast, Spotify, Midroll — lower CPM but they do the sales work), and listener-support platforms (Patreon, Supercast, Supporting Cast — flat recurring income, not CPM-based). Direct sponsorships typically pay 20–40% more than what you'd get through a network, but require you to manage the relationships and ad reads yourself.