# Cost per thousand impressions: what it is and how it works
> Cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, expresses the cost of showing an ad a thousand times.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/advertising/cost-per-mille.html

# Cost per thousand impressions

Cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, expresses the cost of showing an ad a thousand times

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It is calculated by dividing spend by impressions and multiplying by a thousand. It helps compare media buying, but should be interpreted alongside audience quality, viewability and context. A recorded impression does not necessarily mean human attention.

Also known as

CPM

Topics

[Marketing and sales](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/marketing-y-ventas)

## Related concepts

- [Cost per acquisition](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/advertising/cost-per-acquisition.html)
- [Cost per click](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/advertising/cost-per-click.html)
- [Cost per lead](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/advertising/cost-per-lead.html)