Book Break-Even Calculator
How many copies to earn back your costs
Every book starts in the red, having cost money to produce before it earns a cent. Break-even is the number of copies that pays that back. Knowing it turns a vague hope into a concrete target and a sanity check on your price and your budget.
How do I calculate my book break-even point?
Divide your total production cost by your royalty per copy. If a book cost $1,500 to produce and earns $3 per copy, you break even at 500 copies. Everything after that is profit. It is a simple sum, but seeing the number changes how you think about pricing and how much to invest.
Is 500 copies a lot to sell?
It depends on your genre, platform and marketing, but for a first-time indie author with no audience, several hundred sales is a real achievement rather than a given. This is exactly why keeping production costs sane and choosing a royalty-friendly price matters so much early on.
How can I lower my break-even point?
Two levers: spend less to produce the book, and earn more per copy. Use tools instead of paying for every service, choose a price inside the high-royalty band, and prefer formats and stores with better royalty terms. A lower break-even means you reach profit, and confidence, sooner.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a book's break-even point?
Divide total production cost by royalty per copy. A $1,500 book earning $3 per copy breaks even at 500 copies.
How many copies does a self-published book sell?
It varies widely. For a debut with no audience, several hundred sales is a genuine achievement, not a given.
How do I lower my break-even?
Spend less to produce and earn more per copy: use tools, price inside the high-royalty band, and choose better royalty terms.
Is this free?
Yes, and it runs in your browser.