Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Payback
6.3
Net monthly saving
$1,439
Year-1 net
$8,266
Year-1 ROI
92%
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter hours saved per week.
- 2Enter loaded hourly rate ($).
- 3Enter build cost ($).
- 4Enter monthly upkeep ($).
- 5Read your payback on the right — it updates as you type.
- 6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Compare build cost against hours saved. Returns payback period, first-year net saving and the return on the build investment.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Hours saved per week: 6
- Loaded hourly rate: 60 $
- Build cost: 9000 $
- Monthly upkeep: 120 $
Results
- Payback: 6.3
- Net monthly saving: $1,439
- Year-1 net: $8,266
- Year-1 ROI: 92%
What each field means
Inputs
- Hours saved per week
- The hours saved per week used in the calculation. Starts at 6 so you have a working example on load.
- Loaded hourly rate ($)
- The loaded hourly rate used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 60 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Build cost ($)
- The build cost used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 9000 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Monthly upkeep ($)
- The monthly upkeep used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 120 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Payback
- Returned as a decimal number and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Net monthly saving
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Year-1 net
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Year-1 ROI
- Returned as a percentage. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
How does the automation roi calculator work?
Compare build cost against hours saved. Returns payback period, first-year net saving and the return on the build investment. The underlying maths is: Monthly saving = hours × rate × 4.33 − upkeep. Payback months = build ÷ saving.
What do I need to enter?
4 values: hours saved per week, loaded hourly rate, build cost, and monthly upkeep. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move.
What does the payback result mean?
It is returned as a decimal number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds.
Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?
Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser.
How accurate is the result?
It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
Who is this tool for?
It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Automation ROI Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/automation-roi-hours
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/automation-roi-hours" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Automation ROI Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Automation ROI Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/automation-roi-hours) (2026).