How YouTube RPM and the calculator work
RPM (revenue per mille) is what you actually keep per 1,000 views after YouTube's 45% share - the only number that matters when choosing a niche. The calculator uses RPM ranges observed on real channels aimed at US viewers.
- 1Pick the niche closest to your channel; the RPM slider jumps to a typical US value. Adjust it if you know your real RPM from YouTube Studio.
- 2Set the average views a normal video gets (use the median from the Channel Analyzer, not the viral outlier).
- 3Set uploads per month.
- 4Read revenue per video, per month and per year - then test what changes if you double cadence or move to a higher-RPM niche.
RPM vs CPM
CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions; RPM is what the creator receives per 1,000 video views after unfilled ads, skipped ads and YouTube's cut. A $20 CPM niche usually lands at a $8-12 RPM. Always plan with RPM.
Typical US RPM by niche (2026)
| Niche | RPM range |
|---|---|
| Personal finance & investing | $12 - $25 |
| Business / make money online | $8 - $18 |
| Luxury & real estate | $8 - $18 |
| Tech & AI explainers | $6 - $12 |
| Health & longevity (seniors) | $6 - $12 |
| History & documentaries | $4 - $9 |
| Men's self-improvement / dating psychology | $4 - $8 (my channel: $4.68) |
| Relationship psychology (women 45+) | $3 - $6 |
| Motivation & stoicism | $3 - $6 |
| Gaming | $1 - $4 |
| Shorts (any niche) | $0.05 - $0.30 |
Three levers that move the number
- 1Audience country - US, UK, Canada and Australia viewers pay 3-10x more than most other regions. Target them with topics, spelling and posting times.
- 2Video length - 8+ minutes unlocks mid-roll ads; a 20-minute video can carry 4-5 ad breaks without hurting retention.
- 3Season - Q4 (October-December) RPM is often 30-50% higher than January.
A worked example
A faceless self-improvement channel averaging 40,000 views per video, publishing 8 videos a month at a $4.68 RPM earns roughly $1,500 a month. The same channel in personal finance at $15 RPM would earn about $4,800 - which is why niche selection comes before everything else.
Frequently asked questions
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?+
Between about $0.05 (Shorts) and $25 (US finance long-form) depending on niche, country and video length. A typical US faceless educational channel earns $4-8 RPM.
Is RPM the same as CPM?+
No. CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions; RPM is what you receive per 1,000 views after YouTube's share and unmonetised views. RPM is roughly 40-55% of CPM.
How many views do I need to make $1,000 a month?+
At a $5 RPM you need about 200,000 monthly views; at $15 RPM about 67,000. Use the sliders to test your own niche.
Are the RPM presets accurate?+
They are ranges observed on real US-audience channels, including my own ($4.68 RPM in men's self-improvement). Your channel's exact RPM is in YouTube Studio under Revenue.
