CPM vs CPC
CPM (cost per mille) prices impressions—how much you pay per 1,000 times your ad is shown. CPC (cost per click) prices clicks—how much you pay each time someone clicks your ad.
Quick formulas
- CPM = (Cost ÷ Impressions) × 1,000 — try the CPM calculator.
- CPC = Cost ÷ Clicks — try the CPC calculator.
US advertising context
In United States media plans, CPM is common for display and video reach. CPC appears heavily in search and performance social where clicks are the optimization unit. Neither metric alone proves success—pair with conversions, revenue, and brand goals.