Unit Economics Calculator

Calculate gross margin, contribution margin, break-even units, LTV/CAC and monthly profitability for any African business — products, services or SaaS.

NGN Default LTV/CAC Ratio Break-Even Analysis Free
Unit Revenue & Costs
Unit Economics Summary
Monthly Net Profit/Loss
Selling Price (per unit)
Variable Cost (per unit)
Gross Profit (per unit)
Gross Margin %
Contribution Margin (per unit)
Contribution Margin %
Break-Even Units / Month
Break-Even Revenue / Month
Monthly Revenue
Monthly COGS
Monthly Gross Profit
Monthly Fixed Costs
FAQ
What is the difference between gross margin and contribution margin?

Gross margin = (Selling price - COGS) ÷ Selling price. It measures production efficiency. Contribution margin = (Selling price - all variable costs) ÷ Selling price. It measures how much each sale contributes toward covering fixed costs and profit. For most African SMEs without complex overhead allocation, these will be similar.

What LTV/CAC ratio is healthy?

A ratio above 3:1 is considered healthy for most businesses — meaning you earn 3x what you spend to acquire a customer. SaaS businesses typically target 4:1 or higher. If your LTV/CAC is below 1:1, you are losing money on each customer and your business model needs adjustment. African markets often have higher CAC due to lower digital trust but longer customer retention once trust is established.

What gross margin should I target in Nigeria?

It varies widely: Tech/SaaS 60–80%, retail products 30–50%, food & beverages 40–60%, fashion 50–70%, logistics/delivery 20–35%. Nigerian SMEs typically see compressed margins due to forex volatility on imported inputs. Track your margins monthly and adjust pricing accordingly.

Unit Economics Guide

Key Formulas

Gross Margin = (Price - COGS) / Price
Contribution Margin = Price - All Variable Costs
Break-Even = Fixed Costs / Contribution Margin
LTV = Gross Margin per Customer / Monthly Churn Rate
LTV/CAC = LTV / Customer Acquisition Cost

Nigerian SME Benchmarks

  • Fashion/Apparel: 55–70% gross margin
  • Food retail: 30–45%
  • Tech products: 60–80%
  • Services: 50–75%
  • Return rates: 5–15% online
Disclaimer: Estimates based on your inputs. Actual profitability depends on operational variables, taxes, and market conditions. Consult an accountant for financial planning.