CPV Calculator
CPV, or cost per view, is the average cost of a single video view. It is the efficiency currency of video advertising, used across YouTube, connected TV, and online video to compare how cheaply different campaigns and platforms earn attention. This free CPV calculator returns your cost per view from spend and views in one step, and it requires no email.
Enter your numbers to see results.
CPV matters because video is increasingly bought and optimized on a per-view basis rather than a per-impression one, especially where platforms charge only when someone actually watches. That makes CPV a cleaner read on attention efficiency than CPM alone for video-led campaigns.
Use it to compare video creative, evaluate a platform's pricing, or judge whether your view costs are reasonable for the inventory you are buying.
How it works
CPV equals total ad spend divided by the number of video views in the same period. The result is the price of one view, so a lower CPV means you are buying attention more efficiently.
The one caveat is that a view is not a universal unit. Always confirm what the platform counts as a view before comparing CPV across channels, because the definitions differ and a cheaper CPV on a looser definition is not necessarily a better buy.
Worked example
Suppose a video campaign spends $2,000 and earns 100,000 views. CPV is 2,000 divided by 100,000, or $0.02 per view, two cents to earn one view.
If a second platform delivered the same 100,000 views for $3,000, its CPV would be $0.03. The first platform is more efficient on cost per view, provided both define a view the same way.
What is a good CPV?
A good CPV depends heavily on platform and view definition, so compare like with like. YouTube skippable in-stream views, counted at 30 seconds or a click, often run a few cents each. Premium connected TV and online video carry higher view costs because the inventory is scarce and the screen commands more attention; for context, CTV and premium OLV typically price at a $30 to $60 CPM, which translates into a meaningfully higher cost per completed view.
Because what counts as a view varies, a low CPV can be misleading. YouTube counts a view at 30 seconds (or the full ad if shorter), while Meta's ThruPlay counts at 15 seconds and 3-second video plays count even sooner. A campaign optimized to 3-second plays will post a far lower CPV than one optimized to completed views, without necessarily delivering more attention.
Read CPV alongside view-through and completion rates, not in isolation. The cheapest view is worthless if almost no one finishes the message. Use CPV to compare creative resonance and platform efficiency on a consistent view definition, and calibrate against QRY's monthly paid media benchmarks rather than a blended figure.
See QRY's monthly paid media benchmarks to compare your numbers against the portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good CPV?
A good CPV depends on the platform and how it defines a view. YouTube skippable in-stream views often cost a few cents, while premium CTV and online video cost more because the inventory is scarce and attention is higher. Always compare CPV across platforms that count a view the same way.
How do you calculate CPV?
CPV equals total ad spend divided by the number of video views in the same period. For example, $2,000 in spend across 100,000 views is a $0.02 cost per view. Confirm the platform's view definition before comparing CPV across channels.
What is the difference between CPV and CPM?
CPM is the cost per thousand impressions, charged whether or not anyone watches, while CPV is the cost per view, charged only when a view occurs by the platform's definition. CPV is the better efficiency metric for video bought on a per-view basis; CPM is better when you pay for impressions regardless of viewership.
What counts as a video view?
It varies by platform. YouTube counts a view at 30 seconds or the full ad if shorter, or on a click. Meta's ThruPlay counts at 15 seconds, and 3-second video plays count even sooner. Because the threshold differs, a lower CPV on a looser definition does not always mean more attention earned.
Should I optimize for the lowest CPV?
Not on its own. A low CPV is worthless if viewers do not watch enough to absorb the message, so read CPV alongside completion and view-through rates. Use it to compare creative resonance and platform efficiency on a consistent view definition rather than chasing the cheapest possible view.
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Is your cost per view efficient?
Compare your video efficiency to QRY's managed portfolio across YouTube, CTV, and OLV with our monthly paid media benchmarks.
See the benchmarks