Gross Margin Calculator
The Gross Margin Calculator computes the gross margin ratio from revenue and cost of goods sold (COGS). See your gross profit, gross margin percentage, and markup ratio instantly — essential for pricing decisions, profitability analysis, and financial reporting.
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What is Gross Margin?
Gross margin is the ratio of gross profit to revenue, expressed as a percentage. Gross profit equals revenue minus cost of goods sold (COGS). A gross margin of 40% means that for every $1 in sales, the company retains $0.40 after covering direct production costs.
Gross margin varies significantly by industry: software companies often exceed 80%, retail averages 25-50%, and grocery stores typically see 20-30%. Tracking gross margin helps businesses set prices, control costs, and benchmark against competitors.
Formulas & Equations Used
This Gross Margin Calculator uses the following core equations:
1 Gross Margin Percentage ▼
Revenue of $500,000 with COGS of $300,000: Gross Margin = ($200,000 / $500,000) × 100 = 40%.
2 Gross Profit ▼
Revenue $500,000 - COGS $300,000 = Gross Profit $200,000.
3 Markup Percentage ▼
With $200K profit on $300K COGS: Markup = ($200K / $300K) × 100 = 66.7%. Note: markup and margin are different calculations.
How to Use This Gross Margin Calculator
Follow these 3 simple steps:
Enter Your Values
Type the known values into the input fields above. The Gross Margin Calculator accepts any positive numbers.
Choose Calculation Mode
Select Solve, Simplify, or Scale mode in the calculator. Each applies different equations to your inputs.
View Results
Click Calculate to see your answer with a visual ratio bar, pie chart, and step-by-step solution breakdown.
Example Problems & Step-by-Step Solutions
Here are 3 worked examples using this Gross Margin Calculator:
Example 1 Revenue $250,000 and COGS $150,000
Example 2 Product costs $12 to make, sells for $30
Example 3 Target 35% margin, COGS is $65
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gross margin and net margin? ▼
Gross margin only subtracts COGS from revenue. Net margin subtracts ALL expenses (COGS, operating costs, taxes, interest). Gross margin is always higher than net margin because it excludes overhead costs.
What is a good gross margin percentage? ▼
A 'good' gross margin depends on industry. Software/SaaS: 70-90%. Retail: 25-50%. Manufacturing: 25-40%. Food service: 55-65%. Compare against industry benchmarks rather than an absolute number.
How is gross margin different from markup? ▼
Gross margin divides profit by revenue (selling price). Markup divides profit by cost. A 50% margin equals a 100% markup. A 33.3% margin equals a 50% markup. They describe the same profit from different perspectives.
How do I improve gross margin? ▼
Increase prices, negotiate lower supplier costs, reduce waste in production, switch to higher-margin products, or improve manufacturing efficiency. Even small margin improvements compound across volume.
Can gross margin be negative? ▼
Yes. Negative gross margin means the company sells products for less than they cost to make (COGS exceeds revenue). This is unsustainable long-term but may occur during market entry, liquidation, or loss-leader strategies.