RPM Calculator (2026)
Work out your revenue per 1,000 views, estimate earnings from an RPM, or find the views you need to hit a goal. Then compare against sourced 2026 benchmarks for YouTube, Shorts, and TikTok.
Updated June 11, 2026
2026 RPM benchmarks (USD per 1,000 views)
| Platform / niche | Typical RPM |
|---|---|
| YouTube long-form, US average (all niches) | $5.00 - $8.00 |
| YouTube long-form, finance & investing | $10.00 - $25.00 |
| YouTube long-form, gaming | $1.00 - $5.00 |
| YouTube Shorts (all niches) | $0.03 - $0.08 |
| TikTok Creator Rewards, typical US | $0.20 - $0.40 |
| TikTok Creator Rewards, finance / tech | $0.50 - $1.00 |
About these numbers: all rates on this page are estimates compiled from public reporting and official platform documentation, accessed and last verified on June 11, 2026. Platforms change payouts without notice; treat results as a planning range, not a promise.
Sources:
RPM vs CPM: the Two Numbers Creators Mix Up
CPM is the advertiser's number: what brands pay per 1,000 monetized ad impressions, before the platform takes its share. RPM is your number: revenue divided by total views (monetized or not) times 1,000. A channel can have a $20 CPM and a $7 RPM at the same time, because not every view shows an ad and the platform keeps its split.
When you compare earnings across platforms or niches, always use RPM. It is the only like-for-like measure of what a view is worth to you, which is why every calculator in this family quotes RPM ranges, with sources.
Reading the Benchmarks
The gap between formats is the headline: YouTube long-form pays 50 to 100 times more per view than Shorts, and TikTok's Creator Rewards sits in between. That does not make long-form automatically better; short-form generates views far faster and costs less to produce. The winning math in 2026 is short-form volume for reach plus a high-RPM surface (long-form, sponsors, affiliate) to monetize the audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RPM and how is it calculated?
RPM (revenue per mille) is what you actually earn per 1,000 views: total revenue divided by total views, multiplied by 1,000. Unlike CPM, it is measured after the platform takes its share and across all views, monetized or not, which makes it the only number that honestly answers what your views are worth.
What is the difference between RPM and CPM?
CPM (cost per mille) is what advertisers pay per 1,000 monetized ad impressions, before the platform's cut. RPM is what lands with you per 1,000 total views, after revenue share and including unmonetized views. RPM is always lower than CPM; on YouTube long-form, RPM typically runs 40 to 60% of CPM after the 45% revenue split and unmonetized views.
What is a good RPM in 2026?
It depends entirely on platform and format. YouTube long-form averages $5 to $8 for US audiences, with finance niches reaching $10 to $25 or more. YouTube Shorts run $0.03 to $0.08. TikTok's Creator Rewards Program pays $0.20 to $0.40 for most creators, up to about $1.00 in high-value niches. Comparing your RPM against the wrong format's benchmark is the most common mistake.
Why is my RPM lower than my niche's benchmark?
The usual causes: audience outside high-CPM countries (US, UK, Western Europe), short watch time that limits ad slots, advertiser-unfriendly topics in your content, or seasonality (Q1 RPMs always dip after the Q4 advertising peak). Check your audience-geography report before assuming the content is the problem.
How do I increase my RPM?
Target higher-value topics and searchable formats, attract US and Western European viewers (English narration with clear pacing helps), keep videos over the threshold where mid-roll ads or rewards eligibility kick in, and avoid demonetization triggers. Then remember total revenue = RPM x volume: doubling output usually beats months of RPM optimization.
Related Resources
- YouTube money calculator - apply long-form RPM by niche to your views.
- YouTube Shorts money calculator - the Shorts-specific RPM estimate.
- TikTok Creator Rewards calculator - TikTok's qualified-view RPM math.
- TikTok niche analyzer - pick a niche worth optimizing RPM in.