▶️ RPM vs. CPM: What YouTube Actually Pays You
YouTube takes a 45% cut of gross advertiser CPM on long-form videos (you keep 55%). Your RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is your true take-home pay per 1,000 views after YouTube's cut.
📋 2026 Average YouTube RPM by Niche (US/Tier-1 Audience)
| YouTube Niche | Typical Net RPM | Payout per 100,000 Views |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Finance, Investing & Credit Cards | $15.00 – $28.00 | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| B2B SaaS, E-Commerce & AI Tutorials | $12.00 – $22.00 | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Tech Reviews, Cameras & Gadgets | $6.50 – $11.00 | $650 – $1,100 |
| Lifestyle, Fitness & Vlogs | $4.00 – $7.00 | $400 – $700 |
| Gaming & Entertainment | $1.80 – $3.50 | $180 – $350 |
| YouTube Shorts (All Niches) | $0.05 – $0.18 | $5 – $18 |
💡 The 8-Minute Mid-Roll Rule
⚡ Videos over 8:01 minutes unlock mid-roll ad placements, typically increasing your channel RPM by 45% to 80% overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does YouTube pay for 1 million views?
A gaming channel earns ~$2,500 per 1M views, a lifestyle channel earns ~$5,500, and a finance/business channel can earn $18,000 to $25,000+.
Why is YouTube Shorts RPM so much lower?
Shorts ads play between swipe feeds and share a pooled creator fund (45% revenue share after music licensing), averaging $0.06–$0.15 per 1,000 views.