CPC Calculator
CPC = ad cost ÷ clicks. $1,800 for 1,200 clicks is a $1.50 CPC.
Google Ads: Cost
Google Ads: Clicks
CPC = $1,800 ÷ 1,200 = $1.50
Across the Google Search accounts iClick manages, the average CPC is $2.32 (iClick portfolio).
Next: what each click costs you per conversion → CPA calculator
Your cost per click is $1.50. See what's driving it across the account: free 47-point ad audit, five business days, no sales call.
Get my auditHow to calculate CPC
CPC from CPM = CPM ÷ (1,000 × CTR)
max CPC = target CPA × conversion rate
For what CPC is and how it differs by channel, see our glossary entry on CPC.
| Step | Example | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Ad cost | $1,800 | Google Ads: Cost |
| Clicks | 1,200 | Google Ads: Clicks |
| CPC | 1,800 ÷ 1,200 = $1.50 | Google Ads: Avg. CPC |
| Max CPC at a $40 target CPA | 40 × 3.75% = $1.50 | Calculated |
In this example the account pays exactly its maximum affordable CPC, so it is converting at break-even on its $40 target. Any rise in CPC or fall in conversion rate pushes the CPA over target. To turn a CPM into a CPC, use the CPM calculator or the “From CPM” mode above.
How Google Ads actually sets your CPC
Your max bid is a ceiling, not the price. In each auction Google ranks ads by ad rank, which combines your bid with Quality Score and other factors, and you typically pay roughly what's needed to keep your position above the next advertiser. A better Quality Score means you need to pay less for the same position.
With automated bidding such as Smart Bidding, Google sets the bid per auction, so average CPC becomes an output of your targets rather than a dial you turn. To bring it down, work on relevance and Quality Score first; our workflow on how to lower cost per click goes step by step.
CPC questions
How do you calculate CPC?
Divide ad cost by clicks. $1,800 for 1,200 clicks is a $1.50 cost per click.
How do I work out CPC from CPM?
CPC = CPM ÷ (1,000 × CTR). At a $6.25 CPM and a 0.5% CTR, each click costs $1.25. It's how to compare impression-priced channels with click-priced ones.
What is the most I should pay per click?
Your target CPA multiplied by your conversion rate. If a conversion is worth paying $40 for and 3.75% of clicks convert, you can afford up to $1.50 a click.
Is my CPC the same as my max bid?
No. In the Google Ads auction you usually pay less than your maximum: roughly what's needed to beat the ad ranked below you. Quality Score and ad rank decide how much less.
Built by the iClick team · Reviewed by Shubham, Google Ads Strategist · Updated
