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SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator

Calculate CAC and adjusted CAC including onboarding costs to measure acquisition efficiency.

SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator

Measure CAC and adjusted CAC including onboarding costs.

Enter acquisition data

Formula

CAC = sales + marketing spend ÷ new customers.

Adjusted CAC = (sales + marketing + onboarding) ÷ new customers.

Use the same period for spend and customers to keep CAC accurate.

Steps

  • Enter total sales + marketing spend for the period.
  • Enter the number of new customers acquired in the same period.
  • Optionally include onboarding/implementation costs.
  • Review CAC, adjusted CAC, and efficiency guidance.

Additional calculations

Enter spend and customers to see CAC insights.

Related calculators

LTV Calculator

Estimate lifetime value to pair with CAC.

Payback Period (Customer Acquisition) Calculator

See months to recover CAC.

SaaS CAC: How to Calculate and Improve It

Use this guide to calculate CAC accurately, include onboarding, and keep acquisition efficient.

Table of Contents

Definition and Formula

CAC = total sales + marketing spend ÷ new customers. Adjusted CAC adds onboarding/implementation costs.

What Costs to Include

Include salaries, programs, tools, ads, events, and onboarding resources. Exclude COGS and existing customer success unless directly tied to new acquisition.

Benchmarks and Payback

Efficient motions target CAC payback under 12 months and LTV:CAC of 3:1+. Early-stage may accept higher CAC if payback is visible and churn is low.

Improving CAC

  • Shift spend to channels with verified conversion and payback.
  • Reduce onboarding friction to lower adjusted CAC.
  • Align sales comp with payback and retention targets.

Tracking Cadence

Track monthly, share rolling 3-month CAC, and pair with churn, NDR, and LTV to keep capital efficiency in view.

FAQs

What is CAC?

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is the fully loaded cost to acquire one new customer over a period.

Which costs go into CAC?

Include sales + marketing (people, programs, tools) and implementation/onboarding if required to activate the customer.

Why align periods?

Use costs and new customers from the same period to avoid mis-stating CAC.

How does CAC connect to LTV?

LTV ÷ CAC gauges return on acquisition. Ratios above 3:1 are typically strong; below 2:1 need improvement.

How often should I track CAC?

Track monthly with rolling averages to smooth volatility; keep cohorts consistent.

Summary

Calculate CAC and adjusted CAC with blank defaults, clear formulas, and Vitamin K-style sections.

Outputs include CAC metrics, recommendations, action plan, formula, steps, guide, related tools, FAQs, and summary.

Use alongside payback, LTV, and churn to keep acquisition efficient and LCP low.

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SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator

Calculate CAC and adjusted CAC including onboarding costs to measure acquisition efficiency.

How to use SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator

Step-by-step guide to using the SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator:

  1. Enter your values. Input the required values in the calculator form
  2. Calculate. The calculator will automatically compute and display your results
  3. Review results. Review the calculated results and any additional information provided

Frequently asked questions

How do I use the SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator?

Simply enter your values in the input fields and the calculator will automatically compute the results. The SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator is designed to be user-friendly and provide instant calculations.

Is the SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator free to use?

Yes, the SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator is completely free to use. No registration or payment is required.

Can I use this calculator on mobile devices?

Yes, the SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator is fully responsive and works perfectly on mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Are the results from SaaS CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) Calculator accurate?

Yes, our calculators use standard formulas and are regularly tested for accuracy. However, results should be used for informational purposes and not as a substitute for professional advice.