LTV to CAC ratio

Topic

The ratio of Lifetime Value (LTV) of a customer to the Cost to Acquire a Customer (CAC). This metric is crucial for evaluating the sustainability of a business model, particularly in fintech, where many companies struggle with deteriorating ratios as they scale.


First Mentioned

1/5/2026, 4:53:39 AM

Last Updated

1/5/2026, 4:56:00 AM

Research Retrieved

1/5/2026, 4:56:00 AM

Summary

The LTV to CAC ratio is a fundamental unit economic metric, particularly vital for Software as a Service (SaaS) and fintech companies, that measures the relationship between the lifetime value of a customer and the cost incurred to acquire them. It is calculated by dividing the Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) by the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). A ratio of 3:1 is widely considered the industry benchmark for healthy, sustainable growth, indicating that a customer generates three times the value of their acquisition cost. Ratios below 1:1 signal unsustainable cash burn and a loss on every customer acquired, while significantly higher ratios (e.g., above 5:1) may suggest a company is under-investing in marketing and missing growth opportunities. The metric was recently highlighted in financial analyses regarding the "Fintech Reckoning," where it served as a critical indicator of business model viability for startups like Brex and Anthropic.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Full Name

    Lifetime Value to Customer Acquisition Cost Ratio

  • CAC Components

    Total Sales and Marketing Expenses / Number of New Customers Acquired

  • LTV Components

    (ARPA x Gross Margin) / Churn Rate

  • Healthy Benchmark

    3:1

  • Calculation Formula

    LTV / CAC

  • Critical Failure Threshold

    1:1 (or lower)

  • Primary Industry Application

    SaaS (Software as a Service) and Fintech

Timeline
  • The LTV to CAC ratio is highlighted in Episode 163 of the All-In Podcast as a critical metric for evaluating the sustainability of fintech startups during a market reckoning. (Source: Document ebe1f88d-428a-4f23-a40c-fcfb4a705668)

    2024-01-26

Customer acquisition cost

Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the cost of winning a customer to purchase a product or service. As an important unit economic, customer acquisition costs are often related to customer lifetime value (CLV or LTV). With CAC, any company can gauge how much they’re spending on acquiring each customer. It shows the money spent on marketing, salaries, and other things to acquire a customer. Keep an eye on CAC so it doesn’t get out of control. For example, no rational company would spend $500 to acquire a new customer with an expected LTV of $300 because it would drain $200 of value per customer acquired. CAC, combined with LTV is a frequently compared metric, particularly for SaaS companies. They can manage their expenses, see their growth, predict their future moves, and expand if the business allows.

Web Search Results
  • How to Calculate and Boost Your CAC-to-LTV Ratio - Gong

    A CAC LTV ratio (also known as a LTV CAC ratio) is the ratio between a buyer’s Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and their Lifetime Value (LTV). In other words, it’s exactly how much value a buyer returns for every dollar spent in acquiring them. [...] ## LTV to CAC ratio formula The CAC LTV or LTV CAC ratio formula is expressed by the following formula: Here, the CAC LTV ratio is simply a buyer’s LTV divided by CAC, whether the CAC is specific to the customer or the average for a pool of customers. For example, suppose a buyer pays $100 per month to a SaaS company for 10 months. Meanwhile, the SaaS company has spent an average of $5,000 on sales and marketing to acquire 10 new buyers. What is the buyer’s CAC LTV ratio? [...] With a CAC LTV ratio of 2.0, we know that the buyer generated twice the amount of money it took to acquire them — a 200% return. ## What is a good LTV to CAC ratio? CAC LTV ratios typically range anywhere from 0 to 5 (or above). But which one is “best?” Generally speaking,a good CAC LTV ratio is about 3.0.This ratio indicates a healthy return on investment without leaving too much extra growth on the table. Here are the typical LTV to CAC ratios a company might encounter.

  • What Is A Good LTV To CAC Ratio - Replo Blog

    ## What Is LTV To CAC The LTV to CAC ratio is a key indicator of your business's profitability and scalability. It tells you whether the value you can deliver for each customer exceeds what you spend to acquire them. To understand what the ratio means, you’ll need to break the LTV to CAC ratio down into its two key components first: LTV (also known as CLTV) stands for customer lifetime value. CAC stands for customer acquisition cost.

  • LTV/CAC Ratio | SaaS Formula + Calculator - Wall Street Prep

    LTV/CAC ratio is a SaaS KPI that compares Lifetime Value (LTV) and Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Lifetime value (LTV) is the estimated profit generated by an average customer, while the customer acquisition cost (CAC) represents the expense incurred to acquire that customer. [...] The formula to calculate the LTV/CAC ratio divides the customer lifetime value (LTV) by the customer acquisition cost (CAC). LTV/CAC Ratio = Lifetime Value (LTV) ÷ Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) Where: Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) = (ARPA × Gross Margin) ÷ Churn Rate Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) = Σ Sales and Marketing (S&M) Expenses ÷ Number of New Customers Acquired [...] ## What is LTV/CAC? The LTV/CAC Ratio measures the relationship between the lifetime value of a customer and the cost incurred to acquire that customer. The customer lifetime value (LTV) refers to the profit attributable to a particular customer, while the customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the expense incurred in convincing the customer to purchase the product (i.e., convert into a paying customer). Generating

  • LTV:CAC Ratio: What It Is & How To Calculate It | Klipfolio

    The LTV/CAC ratio is a straightforward equation that compares the value a customer generates over their lifetime to the cost incurred in acquiring that customer. To properly understand and calculate this important ratio, it’s vital to break down both LTV’s and CAC’s components. ### Formula for LTV/CAC ratio To calculate the LTV/CAC ratio, you simply divide LTV by CAC; the formula looks like this: LTV/CAC = LTV ÷ CAC Breakdown: [...] The Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) to Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) Ratio measures the relationship between the lifetime value of a customer and the cost of acquiring that customer. The LTV:CAC ratio is calculated by dividing your LTV by CAC. LTV:CAC is a signal of profitability. This metric tells you if the lifetime value of a customer is higher or lower than the marketing and sales costs to acquire that customer. ## What is the formula for LTV:CAC Ratio? [...] The LTV/CAC ratio is a critical tool for strategic resource allocation, guiding where to invest in customer acquisition, marketing, and product development. Using this ratio, you can prioritize initiatives that yield the highest returns, guaranteeing your resources are deployed efficiently.

  • LTV vs. CAC: Key Ratios Explained - Phoenix Strategy Group

    The LTV:CAC ratio compares customer lifetime value (LTV) to customer acquisition cost (CAC), offering a clear picture of how efficiently your business turns marketing and sales spending into customer value. ### How to Calculate LTV:CAC To figure out the ratio, divide your Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) by your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Here's a quick example: if your LTV is $3,000 and your CAC is $1,000, the ratio would be 3:1. [...] Here’s a quick summary of the strategies to improve your unit economics by focusing on the relationship between LTV (Customer Lifetime Value) and CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost). A 3:1 LTV:CAC ratio is a strong indicator that customer value exceeds acquisition costs, leading to profitable growth. Striking this balance is essential for building a business that can grow consistently. [...] LTV: Total revenue a customer generates during their relationship with your business. CAC: Total cost to acquire a new customer, including marketing and sales expenses. LTV:CAC Ratio: Compares LTV to CAC. A healthy ratio is around 3:1, meaning customers bring in three times the value of what it costs to acquire them. Why it matters: A ratio below 1:1 means you're spending more than you're earning. A ratio above 3:1 could mean missed growth opportunities. Quick Comparison Table: