Free tool
Free Handmade Product Cost Calculator
Add your materials, packaging, labor, and other costs to see your cost per unit and a suggested selling price, instantly.
No signup. Nothing leaves your browser.
Results
Enter your batch details to see results.
Add at least one material and how many units this batch makes to see your cost breakdown.
How the calculation works
For each material or packaging item, the calculator finds your cost per base unit (price divided by package size) and multiplies it by the quantity you used, converting between units when needed (buy in kilograms, use in grams; buy by the liter, use in milliliters).
Those material and packaging costs, plus labor (your hourly rate × time spent) and any other fixed costs, add up to a total batch cost. Dividing by how many units the batch makes gives you the cost per unit.
From there, you can set a price three ways: a markup percentage on top of cost, a margin percentage of the final price, or a manual price you choose yourself. Whichever way you price it, the results always show both the resulting markup and margin, since they answer different questions and it's easy to confuse the two.
The formulas
- Cost per unit = (materials + packaging + labor + other batch costs) ÷ units made
- Markup % = (price − cost) ÷ cost
- Margin % = (price − cost) ÷ price
- Price for a target margin = cost ÷ (1 − margin)
Worked example: a batch of 10 candles
Illustrative numbers only, not a pricing recommendation. Soy wax costs $12 per 1,000 g and the batch uses 2,500 g ($30.00). Fragrance oil costs $20 per 100 g and the batch uses 150 g ($30.00). Ten jars with lids at $1.20 each add $12.00, ten wicks at $0.25 add $2.50, and ten labels at $0.10 add $1.00. Two hours of labor at $15 per hour add $30.00.
The batch costs $105.50, so each candle costs $10.55. A 100% markup gives a price of $21.10, which is a 50% margin. To reach a 60% margin instead, the price is $10.55 ÷ 0.40 = $26.38, which is a 150% markup. Same cost, different question: markup is measured against cost, margin against price.
What this calculator doesn't cover
This first version is deliberately focused on production cost. It does not calculate:
- Marketplace and payment processing fees
- Shipping and fulfillment costs
- Sales tax
- Wholesale pricing tiers
- Fluid ounce conversions (oz and lb here mean weight)
- Production waste or spoilage percentages
Loomenio tracks all of this alongside full recipes, production batches, and stock as your business grows.
Manage product costs like this in Loomenio
Set up your materials, packaging, and labor as a recipe once. Loomenio keeps the cost per unit current whenever a material price changes, and Today flags products that are priced below cost or under your margin target.
Start Free in LoomenioFrequently asked questions
Is this calculator really free, and do I need to sign up?
Yes. The calculator is free to use and does not require an account. Just open the page and start entering your numbers.
Does my data get saved or sent anywhere?
Your entries are saved only in your own browser (localStorage) so they're still there if you refresh the page. Nothing is sent to a server, and you can clear everything at any time with the Reset button.
What units can I use for materials and packaging?
Weight (g, kg, oz, lb), volume (ml, l), length (cm, m), or pieces (pcs). You can buy in one unit and use in another within the same family (for example, buy wax by the kilogram and use it by the gram), and the calculator converts automatically.
Why does the calculator label oz and lb as "weight"?
Because ounces and pounds are weight units here, not fluid ounces. Candle and soap makers especially tend to mean both, and mixing them up would quietly produce a wrong cost. This calculator does not yet support fluid ounce conversions.
What's the difference between markup and margin?
Markup is profit as a percentage of your cost. Margin is profit as a percentage of your selling price. The same price can look very different expressed each way, so the calculator always shows both, however you choose to set your price.
Does this include marketplace fees, shipping, or taxes?
Not yet, this first version focuses on production cost: materials, packaging, labor, and any other fixed batch costs you add. See "What this calculator doesn't cover" below for the full list.