#1028 · E-commerce Tool

Shopify CAC Calculator

Measure how much it costs to acquire a Shopify customer and compare CAC with customer value. Use it to decide whether ads, influencers, or promotions are scalable.

Calculator

Acquisition inputs
$
customers
$
ratio
Ad space

How to use this calculator

  • Enter total acquisition spend for the period.
  • Enter the number of new customers acquired.
  • Add estimated gross profit per customer or customer LTV.
  • Set your target LTV:CAC ratio.

What the result means

CAC is sustainable when customer value is meaningfully higher than acquisition cost. A weak ratio means paid growth may destroy profit.

CAC = Acquisition Spend ÷ New Customers. LTV:CAC = Gross Profit per Customer ÷ CAC. Max Affordable CAC = Gross Profit per Customer ÷ Target Ratio.

CAC should be judged with contribution profit or LTV, not revenue alone.

Example calculation

With $3,000 spend and 150 new customers, CAC is $20. If gross profit per customer is $72, LTV:CAC is 3.6.

Tips for better results

  • Improve conversion rate before scaling spend.
  • Separate new customers from returning customers.
  • Track CAC by channel.
  • Use LTV:CAC to set bidding limits.

FAQ

What is a good Shopify CAC?

A good CAC depends on customer value, but many ecommerce stores aim for an LTV:CAC ratio of at least 3.

How do I reduce Shopify CAC?

Improve conversion rate, landing pages, creative testing, targeting, referral traffic, email capture, and repeat purchase economics.

What LTV:CAC ratio is healthy for Shopify?

A ratio above 3 is commonly considered healthy, while below 1.5 often signals acquisition risk.

Should influencer marketing be included in CAC?

Yes. Any cost used to acquire new customers, including influencer fees, discounts, agency fees, and ad spend, should be included.

How much should Shopify stores spend to acquire customers?

Maximum CAC should be based on gross profit or LTV divided by your required payback or LTV:CAC target.

Shopify CAC Metrics

MetricUse
CACCost to acquire one customer.
LTV:CACValue efficiency of acquisition.
Max Affordable CACAcquisition ceiling based on target ratio.

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