Make sense of your spending
Is it worth the price?
Turn a price tag into the cost of actually using it.
Put a purchase in perspective
Count each wear, session or use over the item’s entire life. For example, wearing a jacket 100 times = 100 uses.
Beyond the price tag
How to calculate cost per use
Divide a purchase’s net cost by how often you expect to use it. Enter the total number of uses directly, or estimate use from years of ownership and days used per week. The schedule option also shows costs per calendar day and per hour.
Cost per use = net cost ÷ total number of uses
Daily cost = net cost ÷ (years × 365)
Use days = years × 365 × (days used per week ÷ 7)
Hourly cost = net cost ÷ (use days × hours per use day)
For example, a 15,000 laptop kept for 3 years with no resale value costs 13.70 per calendar day. Used every day for 5 hours, it costs 2.74 per hour.
See how a purchase fits alongside your regular spending with the daily cost of living calculator.
Make the estimate useful
What counts as one use?
With “Enter total number of uses”, you decide what counts: one wear of a jacket, one gym visit or one session with a tool. A jacket costing 200 with no resale value, worn 100 times, costs 2 per wear. With the schedule option, one use means one day on which you use the item.
What if I only use it on weekdays?
Choose 5 days per week. The calendar-day ownership cost stays the same, but the cost per day used and per hour increases.
Should I include repairs or financing?
This calculator uses the upfront price less estimated resale value. It excludes maintenance, financing, subscriptions and inflation. Include known extra purchase costs in the price if you want them reflected.
Is a low cost per use always a good deal?
No. Lifespan, resale value and usage are estimates. Check the upfront affordability and whether you need the item. More frequent use can lower the number without lowering the money spent.