Cafe Break-Even Calculator
Covers per day to break even.
Enter your values
Enter the monthly rent in $.
Enter the monthly wages in $.
Enter the other fixed costs in $.
Enter the average spend per head in $.
Enter the variable cost per head in $.
Enter the trading days per month you are working with.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Covers per day to break even
- 93
- Monthly covers needed
- 2,397
- Monthly break-even revenue
- $22,769.84
- Contribution per head
- $6.30
Quick answer
Break-even covers equal fixed costs divided by contribution per customer.
Covers = fixed costs ÷ (spend − variable cost)
At a glance
| What it does | Covers per day to break even. |
|---|---|
| Category | Business |
| Inputs needed | Monthly rent, Monthly wages, Other fixed costs, Average spend per head, Variable cost per head, Trading days per month |
| Main output | Covers per day to break even |
| Formula | Covers = fixed costs ÷ (spend − variable cost) |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Cafe Break-Even Calculator
- 1Enter rent, wages and other fixed costs.
- 2Enter average spend and variable cost per customer.
- 3Enter trading days per month.
Inputs explained
- Monthly rent($)
- Enter the monthly rent in $.
- Monthly wages($)
- Enter the monthly wages in $.
- Other fixed costs($)
- Enter the other fixed costs in $.
- Average spend per head($)
- Enter the average spend per head in $.
- Variable cost per head($)
- Enter the variable cost per head in $.
- Trading days per month
- Enter the trading days per month you are working with.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Monthly rent3200 $
- Monthly wages9800 $
- Other fixed costs2100 $
- Average spend per head9.5 $
- Variable cost per head3.2 $
- Trading days per month26
Results
- Covers per day to break even93
- Monthly covers needed2,397
- Monthly break-even revenue$22,769.84
- Contribution per head$6.30
Frequently asked questions
Should owner wages count?
Yes — include a market salary or you will flatter the numbers.
What if covers look impossible?
Raise average spend before chasing more footfall.
What do I need to enter into the Cafe Break-Even Calculator?
Just 6 values: monthly rent, monthly wages, other fixed costs, average spend per head, variable cost per head, trading days per month. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Cafe Break-Even Calculator work out the answer?
Break-even covers equal fixed costs divided by contribution per customer. It applies the formula Covers = fixed costs ÷ (spend − variable cost) and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Cafe Break-Even Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.