Methodology
How calculations are modeled, where the numbers come from, and how to read the estimates.
Official platform revenue splits
When a platform publishes an official revenue split, we use that exact percentage. YouTube pays creators 55% of net Watch Page ad revenue and 45% of allocated Shorts pool revenue. Google AdSense pays publishers 68% for display ads. Twitch splits standard Tier 1 subscriptions 50/50. Patreon charges new creator accounts a 10% platform fee.
We link directly to official documentation for each published split and update our models when policies change:
- YouTube Help: partner earnings overview: Watch Page ads pay creators 55% of net ad revenue. Shorts pay 45% of the Creator Pool allocation.
- YouTube Help: Shorts monetization policies: Shorts Feed ad revenue is pooled, allocated by engaged-view share, then split 45/55.
- YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview: YPP eligibility thresholds and monetization features.
- Google AdSense Help: revenue share: Display ads bought through Google Ads pay publishers about 68% of revenue.
- Google AdSense Help: Page RPM: Page RPM is estimated earnings divided by page views, times 1,000.
- Twitch Help: Affiliate Program FAQ: The standard subscription revenue split is 50/50 between the streamer and Twitch.
- Twitch Help: Plus Program: Raises the split to 60/40 or 70/30 for streamers who hold 100 or 300 Plus Points for three consecutive months.
- Patreon Help: fees: Creators who launched after 4 August 2025 pay a 10% platform fee plus payment processing.
Creator-reported rate bands
Platforms do not publish an average RPM, CPM, or sponsorship rate. Our bands are compiled from creator-reported dashboard figures and industry surveys. The mid point is a planning figure.
Each niche provides a low, mid, and high rate. The calculator uses the mid value for its central estimate, and the low and high values define the range. Entering a custom rate anchors the range around your figure instead. All rate tables include a review date, and individual calculators display when their bands were last verified.
How outputs are structured
- A primary estimate calculated directly from the formula shown on that page.
- A low and high range based on niche bands or your custom rate.
- A breakdown of assumptions, rates, and traffic inputs below the figure.
- Shareable links that store inputs directly in the URL without saving data to a server.
Scope and exclusions
Estimates exclude income taxes, VAT, currency fluctuations, seasonal ad demand spikes (such as Q4), demonetized views, and brand deals unless the calculator explicitly models them.
All figures use USD. If your incoming rates are in another currency, you can enter them directly to read the result in that currency, or convert the final estimate using current exchange rates.
To review all rate data used across the tools, see the rate tables. If you notice an outdated figure or wish to report current rate data, reach out through the contact page.
Methodology reviewed September 2026