What Is YouTube RPM? (And How Much YouTube Pays)
By Shah Rukh, software developer · Last updated:
YouTube RPM (revenue per mille) is how much a creator earns for every 1,000 views, after YouTube takes its share. It’s the most useful number for estimating what a channel really makes.
RPM vs CPM
| CPM | RPM | |
|---|---|---|
| Means | Cost per 1,000 ad impressions | Revenue per 1,000 views |
| From whose side | What advertisers pay | What the creator earns |
| YouTube’s share taken? | No | Yes |
| Counts views with no ads? | No | Yes |
| Other income included? | No | Yes (memberships, Super Thanks and more) |
That’s why RPM is always lower than CPM. For long-form videos, creators in the YouTube Partner Program receive 55% of the net ad revenue, and YouTube keeps the rest.
How RPM is calculated
RPM = (total earnings ÷ total views) × 1,000
Example: a channel earns $450 from 150,000 views in a month. RPM = 450 ÷ 150,000 × 1,000 = $3.00.
Working backwards, earnings = views ÷ 1,000 × RPM. At a $3 RPM, 1 million views earn about $3,000. Try your own numbers in the YouTube money calculator.
What affects your RPM
- Niche: finance, business, software and education attract advertisers who pay more.
- Audience location: viewers in the US, UK, Canada and Australia usually bring higher ad rates.
- Video length: videos of 8 minutes or more can include mid-roll ads.
- Season: ad prices usually rise from October to December and fall in January.
- Shorts vs long-form: Shorts revenue is shared from a pool and usually gives a much lower RPM.
- Ad-friendly content: videos that aren’t suitable for most advertisers earn less.
Where to find your RPM
In YouTube Studio, open Analytics → Revenue. RPM is shown for the channel and for each video once you’re in the YouTube Partner Program.
Want your exact number? Use the free YouTube Money Calculator. It takes about 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good RPM on YouTube?
It depends on your niche and audience. An RPM above $5 is strong for many channels, while $1–$3 is common for entertainment, gaming and music.
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
Your RPM is the answer. Many channels fall somewhere between about $1 and $10, but some finance, business and tech channels earn much more.
What is the difference between RPM and CPM?
CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. RPM is what you actually earn per 1,000 views after YouTube’s share, counting all views.
Why is my RPM low?
Common reasons are a young or low-paying audience region, a niche with few advertisers, many Shorts views, short videos without mid-roll ads, and the January dip in ad prices.
How can I increase my YouTube RPM?
Make longer videos with mid-rolls, cover topics advertisers value, grow viewers in higher-paying countries, and add memberships, sponsorships or affiliate links.