Automation ROI Calculator
Before you build an automation, know the payoff. Adjust hours saved, your rate, setup costs, and maintenance. See break-even point and first-year ROI instantly.
Monthly Time Saved
$500.00
Yearly Savings
$6,000.00
Break-Even Point
1.1 months
First Year ROI
880%
Year 1 Breakdown
Annual time savings
$500.00 × 12
Setup cost
$500
Maintenance (12 months)
$50 × 12
Tips for accurate calculations
- • Use realistic time savings (don't overestimate)
- • Include your fully-loaded hourly rate (salary + benefits)
- • Factor in learning curve and onboarding time
- • Set break-even as your decision threshold
- • Revisit after 3 months to validate assumptions
How to Use This
1. Estimate time savings
How many hours per week would this automation save? Be conservative—most people overestimate.
2. Calculate your real hourly rate
Use your salary plus benefits divided by 2000 hours/year. For business owners, use billable rate or draw.
3. Factor in setup time
How much will you or a contractor spend building this? Include research, setup, and testing.
4. Check the break-even
If break-even is more than 3 months away, the ROI probably isn't worth the risk.
5. Validate after 3 months
Check if you're actually saving the hours you estimated. If not, adjust and try again.