Cost per use calculator
Enter a price, how often you will use the thing and for how long, and see what each use really costs.
Settings
What you expect to get when you sell it. Leave at 0 if nothing.
Cost per use
- Uses in total
- 0
- Per month
- £0.00
- Per year
- £0.00
How the cost per use is calculated
The cost per use is the price minus what you get back when you sell it, divided by the number of times you use it. The number of uses is how often you use it × the weeks, months or years you use it for. A £400 purchase used 3 times a week for 3 years is used 468 times and costs £0.85 a use.
The monthly and yearly costs spread the same amount over the time you own the thing, which makes it easy to compare buying with renting, leasing or a subscription.
Cost per use is a simple way to compare a cheap thing that wears out quickly with an expensive one that lasts. A £50 pair of shoes worn 50 times costs £1 a wear; a £160 pair worn 400 times costs 40p.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cost per use?
Divide the price by the number of times you use the thing. If you sell it afterwards, take the resale value off the price first. A £100 coat worn 80 times costs £1.25 a wear.
What is a good cost per use?
It depends on what the alternative costs. Compare it with renting, borrowing or paying each time: if a gym visit costs £12 on a day pass, a £30 monthly membership pays off from the third visit a month.
Does it work for subscriptions and memberships?
Yes. Enter the yearly price as the price, how often you use it and 1 year. For a £30 monthly gym membership, enter £360 and your visits per week.