// multi-utility computation suite · offline · instant · precise
┌──────────────────────────┐
│ [c] calcalyst_ │
│ computation suite │
└──────────────────────────┘
// select a module to initialize
/ search↵ open firstesc close
// adsenseEMPTY_LEADER_SLOT728×90
// adsenseMOBILE_ANCHOR_SLOT320×50
// keyboard_shortcuts
/focus search
↑↓navigate module list
Enter
open first result from search
open highlighted
compute when module is open
compute when focused in a field
Escclose module · clear selection
⌫
fin.payback-period-ltv Calculator
Calculates CAC payback period and LTV:CAC ratio from monthly gross profit per customer and acquisition cost. A CAC payback period below 12 months is excellent for SaaS; above 24 months creates significant cash flow risk especially in a downturn.
Inputs
Cac
Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
Monthly Revenue
Total income generated before any costs are deducted. Profitability depends on how much survives after expenses.
Gross Margin Pct
Profit as a percentage of revenue. Margin % is always lower than markup % — a $5 profit on a $15 selling price is 33% margin but 50% markup.
Monthly Churn Pct
Reference formula or conversion factor shown for context.
Results
payback period (months)
Time to recover the initial investment from cumulative cash flows. Most firms target 2–5 years. Does not account for the time value of money — use discounted payback for rigour.
LTV
LTV (customer lifetime value) -- total revenue expected from a customer over their entire relationship. Compare to CAC for unit economics.
LTV:CAC
LTV (customer lifetime value) -- total revenue expected from a customer over their entire relationship. Compare to CAC for unit economics.
monthly gross profit
Revenue minus cost of goods sold. Shows how much remains after production costs before operating expenses like rent and salaries.
payback benchmark
Reference value for comparison — the industry standard, historical average, or target that this result is measured against.
LTV = monthly GP / churn
LTV (customer lifetime value) -- total revenue expected from a customer over their entire relationship. Compare to CAC for unit economics.