Tutorial

How to Calculate ROAS: Step-by-Step Guide

Learn to calculate your Return on Ad Spend in 4 simple steps. Includes real-world examples and a free calculator to verify your results.

8 min read
Updated December 3, 2025
Expert Reviewed
ROAS Calculator
Quick Answer

ROAS = Revenue from Ads ÷ Ad Spend

$5,000 revenue ÷ $1,000 ad spend = 5.0× ROAS

Takes: 5 minutes

Revenue:
$
÷Ad Spend:
$
=5.00× ROAS

What You'll Need Before You Start

Before calculating ROAS, gather these key pieces of data:

Ad Spend Data

Total amount spent on advertising (from your ad platform)

Revenue Data

Revenue generated from those ads (tracked via conversions)

Calculator Tool

Use our free calculator below, or Excel/Google Sheets

How to Calculate ROAS: 4 Simple Steps

Follow these steps to calculate your Return on Ad Spend:

1

Step 1: Gather Your Ad Spend Data

Log into your ad platform (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) and export your total advertising spend for the period you want to analyze.

  • Include all ad costs (clicks, impressions, placements)
  • Include platform fees if applicable
  • Use consistent time periods
2

Step 2: Calculate Revenue from Ads

Determine the total revenue generated by your advertising campaigns. Use your analytics or e-commerce platform to track conversions.

  • Use proper attribution (Last Click or First Click)
  • Consider your attribution window (7-day vs 30-day)
  • Account for offline conversions if applicable
3

Step 3: Apply the ROAS Formula

Divide your total revenue by your total ad spend. The result is your ROAS.

ROAS = Revenue ÷ Ad Spend
  • Use consistent currency for both values
  • Calculate for the same time period
  • Double-check your numbers before finalizing
4

Step 4: Interpret Your Results

Understand what your ROAS value means for your business profitability.

  • ROAS < 1×: You're losing money on ads
  • ROAS 1-2×: Break-even zone (depends on margins)
  • ROAS 2-4×: Healthy performance
  • ROAS > 4×: Excellent - scale up!

ROAS Calculation Examples

Let's see the ROAS formula in action with real-world scenarios:

E-commerce Facebook Ads

Online clothing store running Facebook ads

Ad Spend

$2,500

Revenue

$10,000

ROAS

4.0×

Calculation: $10,000 ÷ $2,500 = 4.0×

Excellent! Every $1 spent on Facebook ads generates $4 in revenue. This campaign is highly profitable.

Google Ads Campaign

SaaS company running Google Search ads

Ad Spend

$5,000

Revenue

$12,500

ROAS

2.5×

Calculation: $12,500 ÷ $5,000 = 2.5×

Good performance. Consider your profit margins - with 50%+ margins, this is profitable.

New Product Launch

Testing ads for a new product

Ad Spend

$1,000

Revenue

$800

ROAS

0.8×

Calculation: $800 ÷ $1,000 = 0.8×

Below break-even. You're spending more on ads than you're earning. Time to optimize targeting or creative.

Common Mistakes When Calculating ROAS

Avoid these common errors that lead to inaccurate ROAS calculations:

1

Confusing Revenue with Profit

ROAS uses gross revenue, not profit. Don't subtract costs from revenue before calculating.

Use total revenue from ads. Calculate profit-based metrics (like ROI) separately.

2

Ignoring Platform Fees

Some platforms charge additional fees beyond ad spend.

Include all advertising-related costs in your ad spend total.

3

Using Wrong Attribution Window

A 1-day window vs 28-day window will show very different results.

Use consistent attribution windows. 7-day click is a good default.

4

Not Accounting for Returns/Refunds

Counting revenue from orders that were later refunded.

Use net revenue after returns, or calculate separately.

Try the Free ROAS Calculator

Put your learning into practice. Enter your numbers below to calculate your ROAS instantly.

Try the Calculator

Enter your numbers below

$
$

Your ROAS

5x (+400%)

For every $1 spent, you earn 5 in revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

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