How to use this calculator
Enter AOV, gross margin, expected lifetime purchases, and CAC. The calculator estimates lifetime gross profit, LTV:CAC ratio, and customer value health.
Estimate eBay customer lifetime value using average order value, margin, repeat purchases, customer lifespan, and acquisition cost. Use the LTV:CAC ratio to judge whether retention supports growth.
Enter AOV, gross margin, expected lifetime purchases, and CAC. The calculator estimates lifetime gross profit, LTV:CAC ratio, and customer value health.
A strong LTV means each buyer produces enough lifetime profit to justify acquisition cost. Low LTV means the business needs better repeat purchases, margin, or AOV.
A ratio above 3 is strong, 1.5 to 3 is workable, and below 1.5 is weak.
With $45 AOV, 35% margin, 3 lifetime purchases, and $8 CAC, LTV is $47.25 and LTV:CAC is 5.91.
Multiply average order value by gross margin and expected lifetime purchases, then compare that value against customer acquisition cost.
A ratio above 3 is generally strong, 1.5 to 3 is acceptable, and below 1.5 suggests acquisition spending is risky.
Use accurate listings, strong service, product inserts where allowed, category-focused inventory, and follow-up offers to encourage repeat buying.
It matters most when buyers can return for similar products. One-time collectible sales may rely more on item-level profit than customer LTV.
LTV may be low because of thin margins, low repeat purchases, weak AOV, high ad costs, or poor customer retention.
| Metric | Use |
|---|---|
| Customer LTV | Estimated lifetime gross profit per customer. |
| LTV:CAC | Growth efficiency ratio. |
| Lifetime Profit | Total profit expected before acquisition cost. |