Customer Lifetime Value Calculator

Estimate gross-contribution customer lifetime value and a planning CAC ceiling from editable churn and margin assumptions.

A constant-churn gross-contribution approximation—not a cohort forecast or an ad-bid recommendation.

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Planning estimate only. Platform fees, taxes, payment costs, and policies can change; verify current terms before pricing.

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How this calculator works

Reviewed July 2026

Formula

Annual gross contribution = average order value × purchases per year × gross margin. Approximate lifetime years = 1 ÷ annual churn. LTV = annual gross contribution × lifetime years. Planning CAC ceiling = LTV ÷ target LTV:CAC ratio.

Worked example

$50 orders, four purchases per year, 60% margin, and 20% annual churn produce $600 modeled gross-contribution LTV and a $200 planning CAC ceiling at a 3:1 target.

Assumptions to verify

  • Annual churn remains constant and greater than zero.
  • Order value, frequency, and gross margin remain constant.
  • The CAC result is a planning ceiling before overhead, payback timing, discounting, refunds, and cohort variation—not an ad bid.

Frequently asked questions

Is this predictive cohort LTV?

No. It is a simple constant-churn gross-contribution approximation.

Why use gross margin?

Revenue LTV ignores fulfillment and variable costs; contribution is more useful for acquisition planning.

Should I bid the CAC ceiling?

No. It is a planning boundary before overhead, cash timing, uncertainty, and channel economics.

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