### Metric Guide

#### Gross Margin

###### Description

Gross margin (also known as “gross profit”) is a measure of profitability that looks at the difference between revenue and cost of goods sold (COGS). It’s calculated by subtracting COGS from total revenue, which gives you the amount of money left over after paying for the costs associated with producing goods or services. This figure can be used to measure a company’s efficiency in generating profits from its products or services. When it comes to business analytics and financial reporting, one of the most important metrics is gross margin. Knowing how to calculate and understand what your gross margin means can help you better understand the health of your business.

###### Calculation

To calculate gross margin, start by subtracting COGS from total revenue. Then divide that difference by total revenue, and multiply that number by 100 to get your gross margin percentage. For example, if your total revenue was $$100 and your COGS were$$80, then your gross margin would be 20%. ($$20/$$100 x 100 = 20%) It’s important to note that not all businesses use the same formula for calculating their gross margins. For example, some companies may want to include other expenses such as general overhead costs in their calculations. However, the basic formula outlined above should give you an accurate picture of how much money is being generated from each sale.

$$\frac{Revenue-Cost\:of\:Goods\:Sold}{Revenue}$$
###### Importance

Gross margin helps identify areas to increase profits or reduce costs. A higher gross margin indicates greater profitability since more money is being made per sale after accounting for all expenses related to production or delivery of goods or services. Conversely, a lower gross margin could indicate a need for more efficient operations or pricing adjustments in order to increase profits. By keeping an eye on this metric over time, data professionals can quickly identify trends and make decisions accordingly in order to maximize their bottom line.

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