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

What is Sales Efficiency Ratio?

Short answer: A ratio comparing new revenue generated to the sales and marketing cost required to generate it.

Definition

A ratio comparing new revenue generated to the sales and marketing cost required to generate it.

Formula

Net new ARR / Sales & marketing spend

How to measure

Divide net new ARR added in a period by the total sales and marketing spend during that same period.

Why track it

This ratio is a quick health check on whether go-to-market spend is producing proportionate revenue growth.

Example

A team generating $600,000 in net new ARR from $800,000 in sales and marketing spend reports a 0.75 sales efficiency ratio.

FAQ

What is Sales Efficiency Ratio?
A ratio comparing new revenue generated to the sales and marketing cost required to generate it.
How do you calculate Sales Efficiency Ratio?
Net new ARR / Sales & marketing spend
Why track Sales Efficiency Ratio?
This ratio is a quick health check on whether go-to-market spend is producing proportionate revenue growth.
What is Sales Efficiency Ratio? Definition, formula, and growth use · Cofounderbase