Cost Per Use Calculator
Work out the true cost per use of a purchase to judge whether it's worth it.
Price divided by real use
The real cost of something is not its price but its price spread over how much you actually use it. This works out the cost per use from what you paid and how many times you have used it, which often tells a very different story than the sticker price.
Enter the cost and number of uses to see the cost per use.
Cheap things used rarely, dear things used daily
Cost per use reframes buying decisions in a genuinely useful way. An expensive item used constantly — good boots, a quality tool, a coat worn every winter — can cost pennies per use and be excellent value, while a cheap gadget bought on a whim and used twice costs a fortune each time. It cuts through the illusion that cheap is thrifty and expensive is wasteful. Applied before a purchase, honestly estimating how often you will really use something, it is one of the best filters for whether a buy is worth it. Applied afterwards, it reveals which of your past purchases earned their place.
Common questions
Why is cost per use a better measure than price?
Because it reflects value — an expensive item used daily can cost pennies per use, while a cheap one used twice costs a fortune each time.
How can I use it before buying?
Honestly estimate how often you will really use the item; a high price over many uses is good value, a low price over few is not.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The calculation happens in your browser.