YouTube Money Calculator
Estimate what a channel earns from YouTube ads based on monthly views and niche. The calculator uses RPM, the amount creators actually receive per 1,000 views after YouTube's revenue share, so the result reflects real take-home ranges rather than advertiser prices.
Another 100,000 monthly views in your niche is worth $100 to $500 every month.
Estimates use RPM, the amount creators keep per 1,000 views after YouTube's 45% share, not advertiser CPM. Shorts pay $0.01 to $0.10 per 1,000 views. Ad money only; sponsorships, memberships and affiliate income come on top.
How this is calculated
Earnings are estimated as monthly views ÷ 1,000 × your niche's RPM range. RPM (revenue per mille) is the creator's cut after YouTube keeps 45% of long-form ad revenue. Many calculators quote advertiser CPM instead and overstate income; RPM is the honest number.
Niche is the single biggest driver. Finance and business audiences attract advertisers paying several times more than gaming or entertainment. The per-niche ranges come from 2026 benchmark reports (vidIQ, OutlierKit, Lenostube), cross-verified in July 2026 and reviewed quarterly. Shorts monetize through a pooled model at a far lower rate: most creators see $0.01 to $0.10 per 1,000 Shorts views, typically around $0.03, so the calculator treats Shorts separately.
Estimates only, based on published benchmark ranges. No guarantee of earnings or eligibility. Figures last reviewed July 2026.
Common questions
What is a realistic RPM for YouTube in 2026?
Most long-form channels land between $2 and $8 per 1,000 views, but niche moves the number dramatically. Finance and investing channels commonly report $10 to $17 RPM while music sits near $0.50 to $1.50. Shorts pay far less: most creators see $0.01 to $0.10 per 1,000 Shorts views.
Is RPM the same as CPM?
No. CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions before YouTube's cut. RPM is what the creator receives per 1,000 total views after the 45% platform share, including videos where no ad ran. RPM is always lower and is the number this calculator uses.
Does this include sponsorships and memberships?
No, this estimates ad revenue only. Sponsorships, channel memberships, Supers and affiliate income come on top, and for many mid-size channels sponsorships out-earn ads.
Turn views into the input
The estimate above scales directly with views. SMM World delivers YouTube views, subscribers and watch hours, and has since 2018.
