Costing calculator
Unit Cost Calculator
Estimate real manufacturing cost per good unit by combining material, labor, overhead, setup amortization, scrap, and margin.
What this calculator does
- Roll labor, material, overhead, setup, scrap, and margin into a per-part quote.
- Use before sending a quote or comparing process options.
- Roll labor, material, overhead, setup, scrap, and margin into a per-part quote.
Formula used
- Labor = labor rate × cycle time ÷ 3,600
- Setup per unit = setup cost ÷ batch size
- Good-unit cost = base cost ÷ yield
- Quote price = good-unit cost ÷ (1 − margin)
Inputs explained
- Material cost per part: undefined
- Loaded labor rate: undefined
- Cycle time: undefined
- Machine / overhead rate: undefined
- Setup cost: undefined
- Batch size: undefined
- Expected scrap rate: undefined
- Target margin: undefined
How to use the result
- Use before sending a quote or comparing process options.
- This is a planning calculator. Validate assumptions against your process data before using the result as a final quote, schedule, or engineering decision.
Common questions
- Which inputs usually drive the unit cost result? material cost per part, loaded labor rate, cycle time, machine / overhead rate, setup cost, batch size, expected scrap rate, and target margin usually have the biggest effect. When one of those assumptions changes, rerun the calculator and compare the new $ / unit result before updating the plan.
- What does the unit cost calculator do? Roll labor, material, overhead, setup, scrap, and margin into a per-part quote.
- What inputs do I need for the unit cost calculator? You need material cost per part, loaded labor rate, cycle time, machine / overhead rate, setup cost, batch size, expected scrap rate, and target margin. Use measured values from your line, quote package, supplier data, or current production plan whenever possible.
- How should I interpret the unit cost result? Treat the $ / unit output as a planning estimate for costing work. Compare it against process history, quoted assumptions, and operating limits before making final decisions.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.