Free calculator
Newsletter CPM calculator
Got a sponsor quote or a price in mind? See what it means per 1,000 subscribers, per 1,000 opens and per click, side by side with published newsletter CPMs.
Fees checked Nov 2026Rates linked to sourcesSee all benchmark rates
Your estimate
An estimate from the inputs you set, not a promise of income. Inputs marked Example input are not from a published source.
How the calculator works
This calculator converts prices and does not apply fees.
CPM in plain words
CPM means cost per mille, the price for 1,000 of something. In newsletters it usually means per 1,000 subscribers, but some buyers and networks count per 1,000 opens instead. beehiiv's Ad Network, for example, pays per 1,000 unique opens. The same $500 placement on a 10,000 person list is a $50 CPM on subscribers and about $122 on opens at a 41% open rate. Knowing both stops you from underpricing when a buyer quotes an open based CPM.
Cost per click is how many sponsors judge results. If a $500 slot drives 150 clicks, the sponsor paid about $3.33 a click. Compare that with what they pay for search or social ads and you have a strong argument at renewal time.
How your number compares
Book a Sponsor's 2026 read of 321 newsletters found main slot medians of $69.84 per 1,000 subscribers for lists under 5,000, falling to $6.66 for lists over 100,000. sponsorships.ai lists niche ranges from $25 to $70 for consumer newsletters up to $80 to $200 for B2B, SaaS and finance. Paved's starting rule of 2.5% to 5% of your list works out to $25 to $50 per 1,000.
Book a Sponsor makes a useful point. Do not multiply your list by one flat CPM to set a price, because price per subscriber falls as lists grow. Use CPM to compare, then pick a flat price for your size.
Tips
Track clicks with a unique link for each sponsor. Report results within a week of the send. Keep a simple sheet of every placement with price, opens and clicks, since that history is what lets you raise rates with confidence.
Benchmarks used on this page
| Channel | What it measures | Value | Audience size | Audience type | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newsletter | Main sponsor slot per 1,000 subscribers | $69.84 median per 1,000 subscribers | Under 5,000 subscribers | general | Book a Sponsor, 321 newsletter rate cards 29 Sep 2026 |
| Newsletter | Main sponsor slot per 1,000 subscribers | $36.3 median per 1,000 subscribers | 5,000 to 19,999 | general | Book a Sponsor, 321 newsletter rate cards 29 Sep 2026 |
| Newsletter | Main sponsor slot per 1,000 subscribers | $19.23 median per 1,000 subscribers | 20,000 to 49,999 | general | Book a Sponsor, 321 newsletter rate cards 29 Sep 2026 |
| Newsletter | Main sponsor slot per 1,000 subscribers | $10.53 median per 1,000 subscribers | 50,000 to 99,999 | general | Book a Sponsor, 321 newsletter rate cards 29 Sep 2026 |
| Newsletter | Main sponsor slot per 1,000 subscribers | $6.66 median per 1,000 subscribers | 100,000 or more | general | Book a Sponsor, 321 newsletter rate cards 29 Sep 2026 |
| Newsletter | Sponsorship CPM, B2B, SaaS and finance | $80 to $200 per 1,000 subscribers | All sizes | B2B | sponsorships.ai, newsletter sponsorship rates 1 Jul 2026 |
| Newsletter | Sponsorship CPM, Tech and developer tools | $60 to $150 per 1,000 subscribers | All sizes | general | sponsorships.ai, newsletter sponsorship rates 1 Jul 2026 |
| Newsletter | Sponsorship CPM, Health and wellness | $40 to $100 per 1,000 subscribers | All sizes | general | sponsorships.ai, newsletter sponsorship rates 1 Jul 2026 |
| Newsletter | Sponsorship CPM, Consumer and lifestyle | $25 to $70 per 1,000 subscribers | All sizes | B2C | sponsorships.ai, newsletter sponsorship rates 1 Jul 2026 |
| Newsletter | Starting flat fee rule | 2.5% to 5% of subscriber count, so $25 to $50 per 1,000 subscribers | Newsletters starting out | general | Paved, newsletter sponsorship rates 29 Jul 2026 |
Every figure above comes from our Creator Benchmark Rates table, with filters by audience size and type.
Tools that help
beehiiv
Free up to 2,500 subscribers; paid plans from $49/mo (annual)
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you, and it never changes the numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is CPM in a newsletter?
It is the price per 1,000 subscribers, or sometimes per 1,000 opens. Divide the placement price by your subscribers and multiply by 1,000.
What is a good newsletter CPM?
Published 2026 figures range from about $25 to $70 for consumer lists to $80 to $200 for B2B, SaaS and finance, and small lists often price higher per reader than big ones.
Should CPM be based on subscribers or opens?
Either works if you say which. Open based CPMs are higher because fewer people open than subscribe.
How do I work out cost per click?
Divide the price of the placement by the number of clicks on the sponsor's link.
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