What is YouTube RPM?
YouTube RPM is the revenue a creator earned per 1,000 views. It can help you model earnings, but it is a historical measure, not a guaranteed rate for future videos.
Simple scenario: 100,000 views ÷ 1,000 × a hypothetical $4 RPM = $400. This example is arithmetic, not a benchmark or a promised payout.
RPM versus CPM
According to YouTube, RPM is measured after YouTube's revenue share and can include multiple revenue sources, such as ads, YouTube Premium and memberships. CPM is an advertiser-focused measure of the cost per 1,000 ad impressions before YouTube's revenue share. They measure different things, so do not substitute CPM into an RPM calculation.
Why can earnings vary?
Not every view has an ad. Audience geography, available ads, monetization status and other factors affect earnings. An RPM from a previous period may not predict another video's outcome. Shorts use engaged views for RPM, so use the Shorts calculator and the corresponding metric from your dashboard.
How to use your numbers
Look for RPM in YouTube Studio's Revenue analytics. Enter the views and RPM for the same format and period in our calculator. The result is an estimate; actual revenue can be adjusted.
Sources · Reviewed October 2026