Find out how much a vending machine or a whole route can earn. Enter your machines, daily sales, prices and product costs, the location's commission and your restocking costs to see monthly net profit, profit per item, payback period, break-even sales and a 24-month cash projection.
Last updated:
Machines & investment
$
Purchase price incl. card reader.
$
Initial stock, delivery, licences.
days
Use about 22 for weekday-only locations.
Sales per machine
$
$
Wholesale cost of snacks or drinks.
% of sales
Revenue share paid to the host site (0 if none).
Operating costs
%
%
Cashless readers often charge a % plus service fees.
Total trips for all machines.
$
Fuel, mileage and your time.
$
Reader service plan, insurance, repairs.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Vending Machine Profit Calculator
Enter how many machines you have or plan to buy, their cost and other startup costs.
Enter sales per machine: items per day, average price and average product cost.
Add the location commission, the share of card sales and the card fee.
Add restocking trips and their cost, plus other monthly costs per machine.
Read the monthly profit and payback, then use the what-if table to see how sensitive the business is to sales volume.
The vending machine profit formula
Items per month = items per machine per day × selling days × machines
Revenue = items × average price
Net profit = revenue − product cost − commission (% of revenue) − card fees (fee % × card share × revenue) − restocking − other costs
Break-even items per day = (restocking + other costs) ÷ net profit per item ÷ days ÷ machines
Example: 3 machines selling 25 items a day for 30 days is 2,250 items, $4,500 of revenue and $1,800 of product cost. Subtracting a 10% commission ($450), 5.95% card fees on 60% of sales ($160.65), 8 restocking trips at $15 ($120) and $60 of other costs leaves about $1,909 a month, so $11,100 of machines and startup costs pay back in under 6 months.
Monthly profit per machine at different sales levels
Assumes a $2.00 average price, $0.80 product cost, 10% commission, card fees as above and $60 a month of restocking and other costs per machine, over 30 days.
Items per day
Monthly revenue
Approx. monthly profit
5
$300
$79
10
$600
$219
20
$1,200
$497
30
$1,800
$776
50
$3,000
$1,333
Tips to improve vending profits
Location beats everything. Foot traffic and a captive audience (break rooms, gyms, repair shops) drive sales far more than the machine or product mix.
Track sales by item and replace slow sellers; fresh, popular products increase daily sales.
Accept cards. Cashless readers cost fees but usually lift sales and allow slightly higher prices.
Plan efficient routes: group machines by area and restock based on sales data rather than a fixed schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate vending machine profit?
Monthly profit = items sold × (price − product cost) − location commission − card fees − restocking costs − other fixed costs. Items sold is items per machine per day × selling days × number of machines. Payback is the total investment divided by that monthly profit.
How much does a vending machine make per month?
It depends almost entirely on location traffic. A machine selling 25 items a day at $2.00 with a $0.80 product cost grosses about $1,500 a month and, after a 10% commission, card fees and restocking, might clear several hundred dollars. A quiet location selling 8 to 10 items a day may barely cover its costs. Enter your own numbers rather than relying on averages.
What is a typical location commission?
Commissions are negotiated with the host and commonly range from nothing for small sites to around 5% to 25% of sales for busy ones; high-traffic venues may ask for more. Some hosts prefer a flat monthly fee, which you can enter under other monthly costs instead.
What profit margin do vending products have?
Snacks and drinks are often priced at roughly two to three times their wholesale cost, a gross margin of about 50% to 65%, before commission and fees. Check your actual supplier prices; buying in bulk from warehouse clubs or distributors changes margins considerably.
Should I include my time in restocking costs?
Yes, if you want a true picture. Value your hours at a realistic hourly rate and add fuel or mileage. Many small operators find a route is profitable on cash flow but pays a modest hourly wage once their time is counted.
Does this include sales tax or income tax?
No. Sales tax on vended items varies by state and product and is usually included in the price, and income tax depends on your situation. Treat the result as pre-tax operating profit and reduce the price input by the sales tax if it is included.
Is my data private?
Yes. All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and your last inputs are stored only on this device.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.