Small Business Break-Even Calculator (Canada)

Calculate how much revenue you need to cover your costs and become profitable.

What Is Break-Even?

Break-even is the point where your total revenue equals your total costs.

Why It Matters for Canadian Small Businesses

Understanding break-even helps you price correctly, manage risk, and forecast cash flow.

How to Calculate Break-Even Manually

The formula is:

Break-even units = Fixed Costs / (Price per Unit − Variable Cost per Unit)

Example Scenario

If your monthly fixed costs are $5,000...

Common Mistakes

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good contribution margin?

A “good” contribution margin depends on your industry. Many service businesses aim for 50–70% margins, while product-based businesses may operate closer to 30–50%. Higher contribution margins reduce your break-even point and improve financial stability.

Should GST/HST be included in break-even calculations?

No. GST/HST is a pass-through tax collected on behalf of the government. Break-even calculations should be based on your net revenue and actual business costs, not tax collected from customers.

Does break-even mean profit?

No. Break-even is the point where total revenue equals total costs. At this point, you are not losing money, but you are not making profit either. Profit begins only after you exceed your break-even level.

What are fixed vs. variable costs?

Fixed costs remain the same regardless of how many units you sell (rent, insurance, salaries). Variable costs increase as you produce or sell more units (materials, shipping, transaction fees).

Why is break-even important for small businesses in Canada?

Understanding your break-even point helps you price correctly, manage risk, forecast cash flow, and make informed decisions about growth and investment.

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or business advice.

While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, results are estimates based on the information you provide. Actual business performance may vary. You should consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

All calculations are performed locally in your browser. No data entered into this calculator is transmitted to our servers, stored, or saved. Your inputs remain private to your device.