The formula
Sales = clicks × conversion rate
Revenue = sales × order value
Profit = revenue × margin − budget
Break-even conversion rate = CPC ÷ (order value × margin)
Example
$200 at $0.80 per click buys 250 clicks. At a 2% conversion rate that is 5 sales, or $175 revenue at $35. With a 50% margin you keep $87.50, so the test loses $112.50. To break even at that click price you would need a conversion rate of 0.80 ÷ (35 × 0.5) = 4.6%.
Why Pinterest is different
People on Pinterest are often planning, not buying right now, so many sales happen days after the first click. Look at results over a longer attribution window, and count saves and repeat visits as well as same-day sales. Organic pins keep bringing visitors after the ad stops, which an ad calculator cannot show.
If you sell on Etsy, put Etsy's fees into your margin first with the Etsy fee calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send Pinterest ads to my Etsy shop?
Pinterest allows ads that link to many websites, including marketplace listings, as long as the ad follows Pinterest's advertising guidelines. Check the current rules in Pinterest's business help center before you start.
What should my margin include?
Everything except the ad itself: product cost, shipping, packaging and marketplace or payment fees.
Sources
Last reviewed: November 2026 · By Muhammad Shujah