Cost Per Use Calculator
Enter the price, how many times you expect to use it and any value you could get back. Add a second item to see which is cheaper over the long run.
Item A
Item B (optional)
Be honest about how often you will use it. Most things are used less than people expect.
Worked examples
A pair of boots
£120 price, £20 resale, 100 uses
£1.00 a use
The total cost is £100 over the 100 uses.
Two tools
A at £100 with 50p a use, B at £300 with no running cost
They cost the same after 400 uses
Under 400 uses, A is cheaper.
About Cost Per Use Calculator
A cost per use calculator divides the price of something by the number of times you expect to use it. A £120 pair of boots worn 200 times costs 60p a wear, and a £30 pair worn 20 times costs £1.50. It is a fair way to judge a coat, a bike, a tool, a gym membership or a kitchen gadget, and to see whether a better made, dearer option is actually the cheaper one.
The tool takes off any money you expect to get back by selling the item and adds a running cost for each use, such as fuel, washing or batteries. If you fill in a second item, it compares the two and works out how many uses it takes before the dearer one becomes the cheaper. If that number is far beyond what you will really manage, the cheaper one is the better buy.
How to use Cost Per Use Calculator
- Enter how many times you expect to use the item.
- Enter the price, the resale value and any running cost for each use.
- Add a second item to compare.
- Read the cost for each use and the break-even point.
Common uses
- Buying a bike, boots or a coat
- Gym or class memberships
- Choosing between a cheap and a dear tool
- Deciding whether to buy or hire
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out cost per use?
Take the price, subtract what you could sell it for, divide by the number of uses, and add any running cost for each use. £120 with £20 resale over 100 uses is £1.00 a use.
What is a good number of uses?
Be realistic. Think about how often you really use similar things now, not how often you plan to. Many people use new equipment far less than they expect.
What is the break-even point?
The number of uses at which two items cost the same in total. Below it the cheaper one wins, above it the one with the lower running cost wins.
Should I include maintenance?
Yes. Put servicing, repairs, batteries or cleaning in the running cost for each use, or spread them across the number of uses.
Is it only for things I buy?
No. A membership is a price you divide by the number of visits, and a day pass is cheaper if you will go fewer times than that.