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What should my minimum order be?

Enter your numbers below. Get the answer first, then Koala's next move.

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Numbers to enter
Separate dollar costs from percentage-of-sale fees. Koala then solves the exact order value needed to cover both and leave the margin you choose.

Product cost, packaging, fixed fulfilment, shipping subsidy or other dollar costs you want the threshold to cover. Do not include percentage-of-sale fees here.

Payment, marketplace or commission percentages that scale directly with the order value. Enter the combined rate only once.

Your chosen contribution margin target for this threshold. 0% shows the mathematical break-even order value only.

Koala's Calculated Result
The exact threshold implied by your dollar costs, percentage fees and chosen margin.

Enter the numbers you know

The detailed explanation will appear here once the calculator has a result.

Add the dollar costs an order must cover. Leave the target margin at 0% if you only want mathematical break-even.

Koala's Professional Opinion

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Definition and method

What this calculator answers

See the mathematical order-value threshold implied by the dollar costs, percentage fees and margin target you enter.

Order-value threshold

Minimum order value = dollar costs per order ÷ (1 − percentage fee rate − owner-selected target contribution margin). The percentage fees are applied to order value and the target margin is the owner’s chosen requirement, not a benchmark.

Worked example: your figures

The interactive result above is the worked example. Change any input and the same deterministic engine recomputes the answer; this page does not insert a generic example business or silently treat example values as a benchmark.

  • No market benchmark or outcome is silently inserted by this page.

What should I check next?

Frequently asked questions

What is a minimum order value?

A minimum order value is the smallest order value you will accept — orders below it are blocked. The point is to ensure the fixed per-order cost (pick & pack, shipping label) and the variable costs leave a thin net margin behind on every sale.

Minimum Order Value

How do I pick the number?

Add the fixed per-order cost (pick & pack, label, packaging) plus the variable per-order cost (shipping, payment fee) for the typical order, then divide by (1 − target margin %). Round up to a clean $5 step for the public-facing sign.

Minimum Order Value

Will a minimum order drive shoppers away?

A minimum order can change shopper behaviour, but this calculator does not predict the size or direction. Compare the contribution from higher qualifying orders with an explicit lost-order scenario using your own observed data or assumptions.

Minimum Order Value

Should I show it publicly?

Show the minimum wherever it is needed to set a clear customer expectation and satisfy applicable consumer rules. The calculator does not claim one placement improves conversion; test the cart and checkout experience with your own users.

Minimum Order Value

Educational use, not financial advice. Numbers are estimates for planning; consult a qualified professional before acting on them.