RPM and CPM are different numbers
CPM is the amount advertisers pay for every 1,000 ad impressions. RPM is what you earn for every 1,000 views after YouTube's cut, counting all views, even those without an ad. RPM is the figure that actually reflects your income.
Typical RPM ranges by niche
These are common long-form ranges for an audience based mostly in the US and UK. Your own figures can fall far outside them.
| Niche | RPM (USD) |
|---|---|
| Finance & investing | $10 – $22 |
| Business & marketing | $8 – $16 |
| Tech & software | $6 – $12 |
| Education | $5 – $10 |
| Travel, lifestyle and food | $3 – $8 |
| Gaming, entertainment | $2 – $5 |
| Music, kids | $1 – $3 |
What influences RPM
- Audience country. Advertisers pay the most for viewers in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. An audience in Türkiye usually earns only a fraction of that.
- Season. RPM climbs in the fourth quarter when holiday budgets peak, then drops in January.
- Video length. Videos that run 8 minutes or longer can include mid-roll ads.
- Shorts share. Shorts views earn much less per 1,000 than long-form videos.
Ways to increase your RPM
- Cover some higher-value topics within your niche.
- Make long-form videos with natural pauses for mid-roll ads.
- Use English titles and descriptions when they suit your audience.
- Keep your content advertiser-friendly so ads are not restricted.
Test your own figures in the earnings calculator.