YouTube RPM vs CPM Explained — What Creators Actually Earn
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RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is what you actually earn per 1,000 views after YouTube takes its 45% cut. CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. Your RPM is typically 40-60% lower than your CPM.
Use our free YouTube Money Calculator to calculate your exact earnings based on views, country, and niche.
Earnings Breakdown
| Metric | What It Measures | Who Sees It | Typical Range (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPM | Cost per 1,000 ad impressions | Advertisers | $4 – $35 |
| RPM | Revenue per 1,000 total views | Creators | $1.50 – $15 |
Why RPM Matters More
While CPM tells you what advertisers are paying, RPM reflects your actual take-home earnings. RPM accounts for YouTube's revenue share, non-monetized views, and viewer ad-blocker usage. For financial planning purposes, RPM is the metric you should track.
Our Analysis
We consistently see creators confuse CPM and RPM, leading to inflated earnings expectations. A $20 CPM does not mean you earn $20 per 1,000 views. After YouTube's 45% cut, ad-blocker losses, and non-monetized views, your actual RPM might be $5-$8.
Calculate Your Own Earnings
These are general estimates based on average CPM data. Your actual earnings depend on your specific audience, content niche, and engagement rates. For a personalized estimate, try our YouTube Money Calculator with real CPM data adjusted by country and niche.
Try Our YouTube Calculator
Want to see exactly how much you could earn? Use our free YouTube Money Calculator with real CPM data adjusted by country, niche, and content type.
Calculate Your Earnings →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RPM and CPM?
What is a good RPM on YouTube?
Why is my RPM so low?
Written by The Creator Paycheck Team
Our research team analyzes creator earnings data across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and OnlyFans. We aggregate publicly available CPM data, creator earnings reports, and industry benchmarks to provide accurate, transparent income estimates for content creators worldwide.