Restaurants · Problem-solving calculator
Restaurant Break-Even Sales Calculator
Estimate monthly sales required to cover fixed costs at a given variable-cost percentage.
- Free to use
- Runs in your browser
- Level B · Industry formula
- Last reviewed 2026-08-16
Calculator guide
What this calculator helps you solve
Estimate monthly sales required to cover fixed costs at a given variable-cost percentage.
Inputs explained
- Monthly fixed costs ($) — enter the value that applies to your operation or scenario.
- Variable costs as % of sales — enter the value that applies to your operation or scenario.
Formula and methodology
Worked example
With $45,000 in fixed monthly costs and variable costs equal to 62% of sales, break-even sales are about $118,421.
How to interpret the result
Sales above the break-even level contribute to operating profit under the entered cost structure; sales below it do not fully cover fixed costs.
What to keep in mind
- Classify costs consistently; some labor and utility costs can be mixed rather than purely fixed or variable.
- Use a realistic variable-cost percentage based on the period and concept you are analyzing.
Review approach
This calculator uses deterministic arithmetic and performs the calculation locally in your browser. Its value comes from combining multiple operational inputs into a decision-oriented result rather than returning a one-line conversion.
Review standard: Level B · Industry formula. How calculator reviews work.
Frequently asked questions
What decision can this calculator support?
Sales above the break-even level contribute to operating profit under the entered cost structure; sales below it do not fully cover fixed costs.
How is the result calculated?
Break-Even Sales = Fixed Costs ÷ (1 − Variable Cost %).
Are the assumptions universal?
No. Operational, regulatory, technical, and industry assumptions vary. Use values that apply to your situation and verify professional or regulatory requirements where relevant.
Does CalculateMeasure store the values I enter?
The calculation runs in your browser and does not require sending the entered calculator values to a server to produce the result.