Free tool
SEO ROI Calculator
Turn user-supplied search volume, CTR, conversion and cost assumptions into a monthly traffic and revenue scenario with a revenue-based return proxy.
- Free
- No signup
- Formula shown
- updated 2026-09
Calculate
Enter your values
Results update as you type. Everything is computed in the browser.
Sum only the non-overlapping keyword demand included in this scenario.
Use an effective share of total searches captured as visits; account for expected impression coverage.
Use an organic-traffic conversion rate on the same attribution basis.
Use attributed revenue per sale or an evidence-based lead value.
Include the monthly people, content and tool costs represented by this scenario.
- Forecast organic visits (visits/month)
- 500
- Forecast conversions (conversions/month)
- 10
- Forecast attributed revenue (USD/month)
- 5,000
- Revenue-based return proxy (%)
- 66.7
- Break-even conversions (conversions/month)
- 6
Computed in your browser. Inputs are not sent to a server.
Method
The formula, and every assumption behind it
A number you cannot check is not usable in engineering or finance work. This is the whole calculation.
Visits = Volume × CTR; Conversions = Visits × CVR; Revenue = Conversions × ValueRevenue-based return proxy = (forecast attributed revenue − monthly SEO cost) / monthly SEO cost × 100. Break-even conversions = monthly SEO cost / value per conversion. The model uses your assumptions; it does not predict rankings.
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | Combined monthly search volume in the scenario | searches/month |
| CTR | Expected share of searches that become organic visits | decimal |
| CVR | Expected share of organic visits that convert | decimal |
| Value | Attributed revenue per conversion | USD/conversion |
| Cost | Monthly SEO cost represented by the scenario | USD/month |
Assumptions and limits
- Search volume and CTR are user-supplied scenario inputs. The calculator does not estimate ranking probability, ranking position, time to rank or CTR.
- Applying CTR directly to total search volume assumes an eligible impression for every search. If expected impression coverage is lower, use an effective CTR equal to impression coverage multiplied by SERP CTR.
- Keyword volumes must not double-count the same demand, and all inputs must use the same monthly period and market.
- Conversion rate and value per conversion use the same organic-traffic attribution basis.
- Attributed revenue is not gross profit. Margin, fulfillment cost, tax, discounting and attribution uncertainty are excluded.
- SEO cost is treated as a recurring monthly amount; ramp time, one-off setup costs and revenue lag are not modelled.
How to use it
Five steps
- 01
Define a keyword set for one market and add its non-overlapping monthly search volume.
- 02
Enter an effective CTR scenario. Search Console CTR covers impressions only, so adjust it for expected impression coverage before applying it to total search volume.
- 03
Enter the organic conversion rate and attributed value per conversion on the same attribution basis.
- 04
Enter the monthly SEO cost represented by the forecast, including people, content and tools.
- 05
Compare scenarios and break-even conversions; do not treat the result as a ranking or profit prediction.
Worked example
Worked example — 10,000 searches, 5% CTR and 2% conversion rate
The example shows the inputs and main steps so you can check the result.
Inputs
- Combined search volume: 10,000/month
- Expected organic CTR: 5%
- Conversion rate: 2%
- Value per conversion: $500
- Monthly SEO cost: $3,000
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Forecast organic visits | 10,000 × 0.05 = 500 visits/month |
| Forecast conversions | 500 × 0.02 = 10 conversions/month |
| Forecast attributed revenue | 10 × $500 = $5,000/month |
| Revenue-based return proxy | ($5,000 − $3,000) / $3,000 = 66.7% |
| Break-even conversions | $3,000 / $500 = 6 conversions/month |
Units
Useful unit conversions
Shown so you can reconcile the output with the units in your own data.
| Metric | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| CTR 5% | 0.05 as a formula input |
| CVR 2% | 0.02 as a formula input |
Questions
Common questions
- Does this calculator predict Google rankings?
- No. You supply search volume and expected CTR. The tool only calculates the traffic, conversion and revenue scenario implied by those inputs.
- Where should the CTR assumption come from?
- Use Search Console CTR from comparable non-brand queries and devices as a starting point, then account for expected impression coverage. Search Console CTR is clicks divided by impressions; applying it directly to total search volume assumes your page earns an eligible impression for every search.
- How is this different from the Content ROI Calculator?
- The SEO ROI Calculator starts before traffic exists, using search volume and CTR to forecast visits. The Content ROI Calculator starts with measured organic sessions and evaluates attributed revenue from observed traffic.
- What should I use as value per conversion for lead generation?
- Use an evidence-based expected value, such as average contract revenue multiplied by lead-to-close rate. Keep that calculation documented because it can dominate the result.
- Is the return proxy profit ROI?
- No. It compares attributed revenue with SEO cost. It excludes gross margin, fulfillment, tax, time value, attribution uncertainty and the delay before organic traffic develops.
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