A free example of a ROI (Return on Investment) calculator

You will find a ROI (Return on Investment) calculator tailored to your project in our list of 200+ financial plans

All our financial plans do include a ROI (Return on Investment) calculator.

How can you easily calculate your ROI without getting bogged down in complex formulas?

In this article, we provide a free tool to do so. If you're looking for something more tailored to your specific project, feel free to browse our list of financial plans, customized for over 200 different project types here.

We'll also address the following questions:


What is the easiest way to figure out ROI for a small project?
How can ROI be estimated for a marketing campaign?
What tools are available to make ROI calculations easier?
How should time be considered in ROI calculations?
What is a good ROI benchmark for small businesses?
How can ROI be improved without increasing the investment?
How can risk be included in ROI calculations?

The document available for download is a sample financial forecast. Inside, you'll find the calculations, formulas, and data needed to get a ROI calculator as well as a full financial analysis.

This document, offered free of charge, is tailored specifically to the realities of running a restaurant. If you need a tool for your own project, feel free to browse through our list of financial forecasts.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Here Are the Steps to Easily Calculate Your ROI

To skip all these steps, you can simply download a financial forecast tailored to your industry.

  • 1. Determine the Initial Investment:

    Identify all the costs associated with launching your business project. This includes expenses for research, development, marketing, and initial inventory. Sum these costs to get your total initial investment.

  • 2. Forecast Revenue:

    Estimate the revenue you expect to generate within a specific period, such as the first year. This forecast should be based on market research, competitor analysis, and your business plan.

  • 3. Calculate Net Profit:

    Subtract the initial investment from the forecasted revenue to determine your net profit. This step helps you understand the actual profit you expect to make after covering your initial costs.

  • 4. Compute ROI:

    Use the simple ROI formula: ROI = (Net Profit / Cost of Investment) x 100. Divide the net profit by the initial investment, then multiply by 100 to convert the result into a percentage. This percentage represents your Return on Investment.

  • 5. Interpret the ROI:

    Analyze the ROI percentage to assess the potential profitability of your project. A higher ROI indicates a more profitable investment. Use this information to make informed decisions about proceeding with your business project.

What Should Be Included in a ROI Calculator?

Here are the key elements that should be included, all of which you will find in our financial forecasts tailored to 200+ different business projects.

Element Description Purpose Example
Initial Investment The total amount of money invested at the start of the project. To determine the baseline cost for the ROI calculation. $10,000
Net Profit The total revenue generated minus the total costs incurred. To calculate the actual profit made from the investment. $15,000
Time Period The duration over which the ROI is calculated. To understand the time frame for the investment return. 1 year
ROI Formula The mathematical formula used to calculate ROI. To provide a standardized method for ROI calculation. (Net Profit / Initial Investment) * 100
Break-Even Point The point at which total revenue equals total costs. To determine when the investment will start generating profit. 6 months
Annualized ROI ROI adjusted for a one-year period. To compare ROI across different time periods. 20%
Cash Flow The net amount of cash being transferred in and out. To assess the liquidity and financial health of the investment. $5,000 per month
Discount Rate The interest rate used to discount future cash flows to their present value. To account for the time value of money in ROI calculations. 5%
Net Present Value (NPV) The difference between the present value of cash inflows and outflows. To evaluate the profitability of the investment. $12,000
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) The discount rate that makes the NPV of all cash flows equal to zero. To measure the efficiency of the investment. 10%
Payback Period The time it takes for the investment to be repaid from net cash inflows. To determine the risk and liquidity of the investment. 2 years

Our financial forecasts are comprehensive and will help you secure financing from the bank or investors.

Common Questions You May Have

Reading these articles might also interest you:
- How to calculate return on investment (ROI) for a new project?
- How to perform a financial forecast accuracy analysis?
- How to analyze your business’s cost structure?

What is the simplest way to calculate ROI for a small project?

The simplest way to calculate ROI is to use the basic formula: ROI = (Net Profit / Cost of Investment) x 100.

For example, if you invested $1,000 and earned a net profit of $200, your ROI would be 20%.

This method avoids complex calculations and gives you a quick snapshot of your investment's performance.

How can I estimate the ROI for a marketing campaign?

To estimate the ROI for a marketing campaign, track the revenue generated from the campaign and subtract the campaign costs.

For instance, if your campaign costs $500 and generates $2,000 in revenue, your net profit is $1,500.

Using the basic ROI formula, your ROI would be 300%.

What tools can help simplify ROI calculations?

Several online calculators and software tools can help simplify ROI calculations, such as Google Sheets, Excel, and specialized ROI calculators.

These tools often come with built-in formulas and templates that make it easy to input your data and get instant results.

Using these tools can save time and reduce the risk of errors in your calculations.

How do I account for time in my ROI calculations?

To account for time, you can use the annualized ROI formula: Annualized ROI = [(1 + ROI)^(1/n) - 1] x 100, where n is the number of years.

For example, if your ROI is 50% over 2 years, the annualized ROI would be approximately 22.47%.

This helps you understand the yearly return on your investment, making it easier to compare different projects.

What is a good ROI benchmark for small businesses?

A good ROI benchmark for small businesses typically ranges from 15% to 30%.

This range indicates a healthy return on investment, considering the risks and uncertainties involved in small business ventures.

However, the ideal benchmark can vary depending on the industry and specific business goals.

How can I improve my ROI without increasing my investment?

Improving ROI without increasing investment can be achieved by optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

For example, automating certain processes or negotiating better rates with suppliers can lead to significant savings.

Additionally, focusing on high-impact marketing strategies can boost revenue without a proportional increase in costs.

How do I factor in risk when calculating ROI?

To factor in risk, you can use the risk-adjusted ROI formula: Risk-Adjusted ROI = ROI / Risk Factor.

If your ROI is 20% and the risk factor is 1.5, the risk-adjusted ROI would be approximately 13.33%.

This helps you understand the potential return in the context of the associated risks, providing a more realistic assessment of your investment's performance.

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