Client Lifetime Value Calculator
LTV:CAC below 1× means you're paying to acquire clients who don't pay back. Enter your numbers to see the health rating, payback period, referral bonus, and a retention sensitivity table.
Client economics
What a typical client pays you per month
Revenue minus direct costs (subcontractors, tools, etc.)
How many months a typical client stays
Marketing, outreach, sales time to land one client
% of clients who refer at least one new client
How many referrals a referring client typically sends
LTV:CAC above 5x — strong unit economics. Each new client generates well over 5× their acquisition cost. Scale confidently.
Lifetime revenue breakdown per client
How retention affects LTV
| Scenario | Retention | Gross LTV | Net LTV | LTV:CAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −50% retention | 6.0 mo | $10K | $9K | 12.2x |
| −25% retention | 9.0 mo | $15K | $14K | 18.3x |
| Current | 12.0 mo | $20K | $19K | 24.4x |
| +25% retention | 15.0 mo | $24K | $24K | 30.5x |
| +50% retention | 18.0 mo | $29K | $28K | 36.6x |
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