Metrics · Finance · Quarterly · % · Updated 2026-07-21

What is Gross Margin?

Short answer: The percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the direct cost of delivering the product.

Definition

The percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the direct cost of delivering the product.

Formula

(Revenue - Cost of Goods Sold) / Revenue x 100

How to measure

Subtract direct delivery costs, like hosting and support, from total revenue, then divide by revenue and multiply by 100.

Why track it

Gross margin shows how much revenue is available to fund sales, marketing, and overhead after serving each customer.

Example

A company with $500,000 revenue and $100,000 in direct delivery costs reports an 80% gross margin.

FAQ

What is Gross Margin?
The percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the direct cost of delivering the product.
How do you calculate Gross Margin?
(Revenue - Cost of Goods Sold) / Revenue x 100
Why track Gross Margin?
Gross margin shows how much revenue is available to fund sales, marketing, and overhead after serving each customer.
What is Gross Margin? Definition, formula, and growth use · Cofounderbase