Cost per unit
For each ingredient, the cost is amount used ÷ pack size × pack price. Add packaging such as labels, wrap and boxes per unit, then divide the total by the number of units. The markup gives a starting price. Remember that labour, fees, shipping and equipment also have to be covered.
Example: 700 g of olive oil from a 5 L tin costing 40 (about 4,600 g at 0.92 g/ml) costs 6.09. Enter weights for both, or millilitres for both, but don't mix them on one row.
Tips
- Include the small things too: fragrance, colourants, wicks, and the lye itself. They add up.
- Soap loses water as it cures, so the cost per bar should use the number of bars you actually cut, not the weight of raw batter.
- If you sell cosmetics in the EU, UK or US, check the local labelling and safety-assessment rules for your product type.
Questions
- Does my ingredient list save?
- Yes, in this browser, so you only enter pack prices once.
- What markup do makers use?
- It varies widely; many small makers aim for wholesale at roughly 2× cost and retail at 2× wholesale, but price to your market.
- Can I use it for candles or resin?
- Yes, it works for any batch product.