Ad Budget Calculator
Turn a budget into projected clicks and leads — or work backward from a lead goal to the spend you need. CPC, CPM and CPA in one place.
Projections use the CPC, conversion rate and click-through rate you enter — pull these from your own ad account for accuracy, or use conservative benchmarks when starting out and treat the output as a range. Figures are media spend only; UAE advertising services may add 5% VAT on top. Not a guarantee of results.
How each figure is worked out
Clicks = budget ÷ CPC. Leads = clicks × conversion rate. Cost per lead = budget ÷ leads. Impressions = clicks ÷ click-through rate, and effective CPM = budget ÷ impressions × 1,000. In goal mode, the chain runs in reverse: required clicks = target leads ÷ conversion rate, and required budget = clicks × CPC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CPC, CPM and CPA?
CPC (cost per click) is what you pay each time someone clicks your ad. CPM (cost per mille) is the cost per 1,000 impressions, used when you're buying reach rather than clicks. CPA (cost per acquisition, also called cost per lead or cost per conversion) is what each completed action — a lead, sale or sign-up — costs you. This tool works with all three so you can plan whichever way your campaign is bought.
How do I turn a budget into an expected number of leads?
Divide the budget by the CPC to get clicks, then multiply clicks by your conversion rate (the share of clicks that become leads). For example, AED 5,000 at AED 2.50 CPC is 2,000 clicks; at a 4% conversion rate that's 80 leads, or a cost per lead of AED 62.50. Enter your own figures above and the tool does this instantly, in both directions.
Where do I get realistic CPC and conversion-rate numbers?
The most reliable source is your own ad account's historical data. If you're just starting, use conservative industry benchmarks for your sector and placement, then refine as real data comes in. This calculator deliberately takes your assumptions as inputs rather than guessing them, so the projection is only as good as the numbers you feed it — treat early estimates as ranges, not promises.
Does this include VAT on ad spend?
The figures here are the media spend itself. In the UAE, advertising services can carry 5% VAT depending on the supplier and your registration status, so your actual invoice may be higher than the budget modelled here. Use the VAT Price & Margin Calculator to add VAT if you need the gross cost.
Can I work backward from a target number of leads?
Yes. Switch to the goal mode, enter how many leads (or clicks) you want plus your CPC and conversion rate, and the tool returns the budget required to reach that target. This is useful when you have a sales goal and need to justify or plan the spend behind it.