Metrics · Monetization · Finance · Quarterly · ratio · Updated 2026-07-21

What is Expansion-to-Contraction Ratio?

Short answer: The ratio of expansion MRR to contraction MRR within a period, showing whether existing accounts are net growing or shrinking.

Definition

The ratio of expansion MRR to contraction MRR within a period, showing whether existing accounts are net growing or shrinking.

Formula

Expansion MRR / Contraction MRR

How to measure

Divide total expansion MRR by total contraction MRR generated by the existing customer base within the same period.

Why track it

A ratio consistently above 1 indicates the existing base is healthily growing revenue, a precondition for achieving negative net churn.

Example

A company generating $20,000 in expansion against $8,000 in contraction reports a 2.5:1 expansion-to-contraction ratio.

FAQ

What is Expansion-to-Contraction Ratio?
The ratio of expansion MRR to contraction MRR within a period, showing whether existing accounts are net growing or shrinking.
How do you calculate Expansion-to-Contraction Ratio?
Expansion MRR / Contraction MRR
Why track Expansion-to-Contraction Ratio?
A ratio consistently above 1 indicates the existing base is healthily growing revenue, a precondition for achieving negative net churn.
What is Expansion-to-Contraction Ratio? Definition, formula, and growth use · Cofounderbase