What is a good CPM for a podcast?

Host-read mid-roll ads command $20–$50 CPM. Pre-rolls are $15–$30. Business and finance podcast CPMs tend to be at the high end. Niche, highly engaged shows can negotiate above these benchmarks.

Should I use a podcast ad network or sell ads directly?

Networks (Midroll, Podcorn, etc.) handle sales but take 20–30% commission. Direct sales keep all revenue but require your own outreach. Most shows start with networks, then transition to direct sales for their biggest sponsors once they've proven their value.

What is a good CPM for a podcast?

Host-read mid-roll ads command $20–$50 CPM. Pre-rolls are $15–$30. Business and finance podcast CPMs tend to be at the high end. Niche, highly engaged shows can negotiate above these benchmarks.

Should I use a podcast ad network or sell ads directly?

Networks (Midroll, Podcorn, etc.) handle sales but take 20–30% commission. Direct sales keep all revenue but require your own outreach. Most shows start with networks, then transition to direct sales for their biggest sponsors once they've proven their value.

Podcast

Podcast Revenue Calculator

Estimate podcast earnings from host-read ads, dynamic insertion, Patreon support, and listener-supported models based on your download numbers.

Podcast Details

Downloads per Episode

30-day download count per episode

Episodes per Month

Ad Placements & CPM Rates

Pre-roll CPM

Typically $15–$30

Pre-roll Ads

Mid-roll CPM

Typically $20–$50

Mid-roll Ads

Post-roll CPM

Typically $10–$20

1 post-roll assumed

Monthly Patreon / Membership Revenue

Listener-supported monthly income

Estimated Podcast Revenue

Monthly Total

$1,600.00

Annual Revenue

$19.2K

Monthly Ad Revenue

$1,600.00

Monthly Memberships / Patreon

$0.00

Ad Revenue per Episode

$400.00

Total Monthly Downloads

20.0K

Effective RPM

$80.00

How the Formula Works

Formula

Ad Revenue = Downloads × Episodes × ((Pre-roll CPM × Pre-rolls) + (Mid-roll CPM × Mid-rolls) + Post-roll CPM) / 1,000

Variables

DownloadsPer-episode download count (measured at 30 days post-release)

CPMCost Per Mille — what advertisers pay per 1,000 downloads. Varies by ad position and host-read quality.

Worked Example

A podcast with 8,000 downloads/episode, weekly release, with 1 pre-roll ($20 CPM) and 2 mid-rolls ($25 CPM): Monthly = 4 episodes × 8,000 × ($20 + $50) / 1,000 = $2,240.

Podcast Monetization Milestones

Most major ad networks require 3,000–5,000 downloads per episode to accept a show. Premium advertisers typically want 10,000+ downloads. Below these thresholds, direct outreach to small brands, Patreon, and affiliate marketing are more practical. The podcast advertising industry is growing — CPM rates have increased consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most ad networks accept shows at 3,000+ downloads per episode. At 5,000 downloads/episode with 2 mid-rolls at $25 CPM, you earn about $250/episode or $1,000/month for a weekly show. Premium advertisers become accessible at 10,000+ downloads.