YouTube CTR & RPM Estimator
Calculate your click-through rate, estimated RPM, and monthly earnings — with a performance gauge and improvement tips.
CTR, RPM, and What Actually Drives YouTube Revenue
CTR (Click-Through Rate) is the percentage of people who clicked your video after seeing the thumbnail in feeds, search, or suggested videos. YouTube's own data says most channels fall between 2–10%, with 4% being a common midpoint. Below 2% is a signal that thumbnails or titles need attention.
Why CTR compounds: A higher CTR means YouTube shows your video to more people, which means more impressions, which means more clicks — a virtuous cycle. Even moving from 3% to 5% CTR on 500k impressions means 10,000 extra free views per month.
RPM vs CPM: CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. RPM is what you earn per 1,000 total video views — after YouTube's 45% share and accounting for the fact that not every view gets a monetized ad. RPM is typically 40–55% of CPM.
Thumbnail tips that work: One clear focal point (usually a face with expression), bright contrasting colors against YouTube's white background, large readable text (3–5 words max), and consistent branding so subscribers recognize your content instantly.
Title tips: Front-load the hook. Use numbers (specific beats vague). Create a curiosity gap or state a concrete benefit. Keep it under 60 characters for desktop, under 50 for mobile where most views now come from.