What will this purchase really cost per use?
Cost per use turns a large price tag into a comparable number. Including upkeep and resale value makes the estimate more realistic for clothing, tools, appliances, sports equipment, and other repeat-use purchases.
Enter your numbers
$1.03 per use
$800.00 lifetime costBased on 780 uses after upkeep and resale value.
A clearer way to compare.
Cost per use = (purchase price + lifetime upkeep − resale value) ÷ expected uses.
A $900 purchase with $100 of upkeep, $200 resale value, and 780 uses has an $800 lifetime cost—or about $1.03 per use.
Cost Per Use FAQ
How accurate is this calculator?
The arithmetic is exact for the values you enter. The practical result depends on whether those prices, quantities, and assumptions match your purchase.
Are taxes included?
Use tax-inclusive prices when tax differs between your options. Otherwise, the comparison remains useful before tax.
Can I use euros, pounds, or another currency?
Yes. Keep every money input in the same currency. The comparison and percentages remain valid even when the displayed symbol differs.
Is any information stored?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser and is not sent to a database.
Know what the result means.
Ship or Spend shows the formula, assumptions, and complete comparison rather than hiding the answer behind a score. Read our calculation methodology for limitations and testing details.