Menu engineering / Free calculator
Contribution Margin
Find the amount each sale contributes after its direct variable cost.
Calculate your result
Enter the figures for the same reporting period. Your entries are calculated locally in your browser.
Common questions
Is contribution margin the same as net profit?
No. Contribution margin is what remains before allocating fixed expenses and other costs.
Can variable costs exceed the price?
Yes. A negative contribution signals that variable cost exceeds the selling price.
More restaurant calculators
Cost control
Food Cost Percentage
Calculate the share of food sales spent on ingredients using inventory and purchases.
Calculate →StaffingLabor Cost Percentage
Compare labor expense with net sales over the same shift, week or reporting period.
Calculate →Menu engineeringMenu Price Calculator
Turn a recipe's plate cost and desired food-cost percentage into a starting menu price.
Calculate →PlanningBreak-Even Sales
Estimate how much monthly sales are required to cover fixed costs after variable costs.
Calculate →