What is Break-even ROI?

Break-even ROI is the ROI where profit = 0: revenue equals total cost. Cutoff point—below it, funnels pause or cut; at it, testing continues; above it, scale.

Formula

Break-even ROI = 0% when ROI = (Revenue − Cost) ÷ Cost. Equivalent: Revenue = Cost. Break-even ROAS = 1.0 if cost is ad spend only.

Threshold math

Given CPC, CR, payout: break-even when CPC = CR × payout × approve_rate. Example: $40 payout, 2% CR, 80% approve → $0.64 revenue per click; break-even CPC = $0.64.

Practice

Buyers set minimum ROI > 0 (e.g. 20%) as buffer for approve drops and chargebacks. Tracker auto-rules pause campaigns when ROI < threshold over 24h.

Notes

Day-0 break-even ignores rebill LTV. Holds delay revenue—cash break-even lags accounting break-even.

See also: ROI, CPC, CR, tracker.