Step-by-Step AdSense Calculation Example
Let's walk through a practical scenario for a website in 2026. Understanding the math behind your revenue helps you target the right traffic and optimize your ad placements.
💻 Real Website AdSense Example
Scenario: A tech blog receives 10,000 daily pageviews, has an average ad CTR of 2.5%, and a CPC of $0.60.
Step 1: Calculate Daily Ad Clicks
10,000 views × 0.025 CTR = 250 ad clicks per day
Step 2: Calculate Daily Revenue
250 clicks × $0.60 CPC = $150.00 per day
Step 3: Calculate Monthly Estimate
$150.00 × 30 days = $4,500 per month
Calculated Page RPM: ($150 / 10,000) × 1,000 = $15.00
Note: This is a very healthy RPM for a tech blog, driven by solid CTR and competitive CPCs.
AdSense Page RPM vs. Impression CPM
Many publishers get confused by the different "Rates" shown in AdSense. In 2026, Google has shifted more towards pay-per-impression models, but the distinction remains critical:
| Metric | What it Measures | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Page RPM | Earnings per 1,000 pageviews | Holistic view of site efficiency |
| Impression CPM | Cost per 1,000 ad impressions | Valuation of individual ad slots |
| Query RPM | Earnings per 1,000 searches | Efficiency of Search components |
If your Impression CPM is high but your Page RPM is low, you might not be showing enough ads per page. Conversely, if your Page RPM is high but CPM is low, you have massive traffic volume but low ad value. Aim to optimize for Page RPM as it accounts for the entire user session revenue.
How Does Website Monetization Work?
For bloggers and publishers, Google AdSense (or alternatives like Mediavine/Raptive) is the primary way to earn money. Revenue is driven by two main models:
- CPC (Cost Per Click): You get paid when a user clicks an ad. This is calculated using the formula: Traffic × CTR × CPC.
- CPM (Cost Per Mille): You get paid just for showing the ad (per 1,000 views). This is common for "Brand Awareness" campaigns (similar to YouTube CPM).
Average Advertiser Rates by Niche (2026)
Not all pageviews are created equal. An advertiser selling car insurance is willing to pay 50x more for a click than an advertiser promoting a mobile game.
| Website Niche | Avg. CPC (Cost Per Click) | Avg. RPM (Revenue Per 1k) |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance / Loans | $5.00 - $25.00 | $40 - $100+ |
| Software / B2B | $2.00 - $8.00 | $25 - $60 |
| Health / Wellness | $1.00 - $3.50 | $15 - $40 |
| Tech / Gaming | $0.30 - $1.00 | $5 - $15 |
| News / Viral | $0.05 - $0.25 | $2 - $8 |
3 Ways to Increase Your Ad Income
- Improve Viewability: Place ads "Above the Fold" (visible without scrolling). Ads that are actually seen have much higher CTRs.
- Focus on High-Intent Keywords: Instead of writing "What is a laptop?", write "Best laptops for students in 2026." The second keyword signals the user wants to buy something, attracting higher-paying ads.
- Optimize Site Speed: Ads load faster on fast websites. If your site takes 5 seconds to load, users might scroll past the ad slot before the banner even appears.
Top-Paying Countries for Google AdSense (2026)
If your website attracts traffic from wealthy nations with high advertiser competition, your CPC and Page RPM will be significantly higher. Here are the top Tier-1 countries for AdSense earnings:
| Country / Region | Avg. CPC Tier | Revenue Potential |
|---|---|---|
| United States / Canada | Tier 1 (Highest) | $1.00 - $15.00+ CPC |
| United Kingdom / Australia | Tier 1 (High) | $0.80 - $12.00+ CPC |
| Germany / Northern Europe | Tier 2 (High) | $0.50 - $8.00+ CPC |
| UAE / Singapore | Tier 2 (Medium) | $0.40 - $6.00+ CPC |
For publishers looking to maximize their earnings, targeting US-based traffic with High-CPC keywords (like "Insurance," "Enterprise SaaS," or "Cloud Computing") is the most effective strategy. You can use our Freelance Calculator to compare your ad income against potential client work rates if you are considering offering consulting services alongside your blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: The figures and usage examples provided in this calculator are for educational purposes. Actual earnings vary based on audience demographics, niche, time of year, and platform policy changes. We do not guarantee specific results.