Cost to Benefit Ratio Calculator

Calculate the cost to benefit ratio (BCR) to evaluate the financial viability of a project by comparing total monetary benefits to total costs.

Standard
Step by Step
Chart

Result

Calculation Steps

Cost-Benefit Breakdown

Formulas

Cost to Benefit Ratio Calculation

The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is calculated as follows:

BCR = MB ÷ TC

Where:

  • BCR: Benefit to Cost Ratio
  • MB: Total monetary benefit ($)
  • TC: Total cost ($)

Usage Notes:

  • Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
  • Total costs must be greater than 0.
  • A BCR greater than 1 indicates that benefits exceed costs.

How to Use the Cost to Benefit Ratio Calculator

  1. Enter Total Benefits: Input the total monetary benefits expected from the project (e.g., revenue, savings).
  2. Enter Total Costs: Input the total costs associated with the project (e.g., construction, assessment).
  3. Choose Display: Select standard, step-by-step, or chart view.
  4. Calculate: Click “Calculate” to process inputs.
  5. View Results: Review the benefit-cost ratio.
  6. Reset: Click “Reset” to clear fields.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the benefit-cost ratio (BCR)?

The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) is a financial metric that compares the total monetary benefits of a project to its total costs, indicating its economic viability.

How is the BCR calculated?

The BCR is calculated by dividing the total monetary benefits (MB) by the total costs (TC): BCR = MB ÷ TC.

What is a good BCR?

A BCR greater than 1 indicates that benefits exceed costs, suggesting a viable project. A BCR less than 1 suggests costs outweigh benefits, and a BCR equal to 1 indicates a break-even point.

Why is BCR important?

BCR helps decision-makers evaluate whether a project is worth pursuing by comparing its financial benefits to its costs, aiding in resource allocation.

Can benefits or costs be negative?

Benefits and costs should be non-negative for meaningful BCR calculations. Negative values may indicate data entry errors or non-viable projects.