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Instagram money calculator
Estimate what your Instagram account can earn from sponsored posts and Reels, from your real reach rather than your follower count.
What views are worth as a sponsorship
| Views | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 1k views | $15 |
| 10k views | $150 |
| 100k views | $1,500 |
| 1M views | $15,000 |
One figure, not a range: Instagram does not pay this CPM, and it does not publish one. This is $15 per 1,000 views, the sponsorship CPM already filled in on this calculator. The follower rule of thumb is a different unit and is not mixed in.
How much Instagram creators earn per sponsored post
Most Instagram income comes from brands, so the useful question is what one sponsored post is worth. There are two common ways to price it: a flat amount per 1,000 followers, and a CPM on the views your posts actually get. Brands that ask for your insights tend to use the second, because it reflects how many people will see their product.
With the defaults, an account with 20,000 followers and 8,000 average views per post, charging a $15 CPM, would quote $120 for one sponsored post. Two posts a month makes $240, or $2,880 a year at that pace. The follower rule of thumb would quote $200 for the same account. When your views are well below your follower count, expect brands to push towards the lower, view-based figure.
The table shows how far the two methods can drift apart. At these two rates the CPM price only comes out higher once your average views pass about two-thirds of your follower count, which happens on accounts whose Reels regularly reach non-followers. Use whichever method you can back up with screenshots of recent insights.
To turn a post price into monthly income, use the deals you actually closed over the last three months divided by three, rather than the number of enquiries. Brand work is lumpy: a quiet month followed by several campaigns at once is common, so the yearly figure is a better guide than any single month.
A post’s base price is only part of a deal. Brands often ask to reuse your content in their own ads or on their website, to run your post as a partnership ad, or to stop you working with competitors for a period. Each of those has value to the brand and should be priced on top. Creating content the brand will keep (photos, raw clips) is also worth more than a single post.
Instagram also offers creator features such as subscriptions, gifts on Reels and affiliate links in some countries, and it runs bonus programs from time to time. Eligibility and availability change, so check your professional dashboard and treat these as extras on top of brand work.
| Followers | Average views | Price at a $15 CPM | Price at $10 per 1,000 followers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 2,000 | $30 | $50 |
| 20,000 | 8,000 | $120 | $200 |
| 50,000 | 15,000 | $225 | $500 |
| 100,000 | 40,000 | $600 | $1,000 |
How it works
Instagram does not pay most creators for views, so income comes from brands. Brands increasingly pay for the reach a post actually gets, so the calculator prices posts from your average views and a CPM.
The follower rule of thumb (around $10 per 1,000 followers per post) is still quoted by brands; compare both numbers and use the one you can defend with your insights.
Stories, Reels and carousels can be priced differently, and usage rights or exclusivity should be charged on top.
Questions
How much should I charge per Instagram post?
Start from your average views on recent posts times a CPM that fits your niche, then compare with the per-follower rule of thumb. Show brands your insights to back it up.
Does Instagram pay for Reels views?
Not for most creators. Bonus programs come and go, so plan on sponsorships, affiliate links and your own products.
How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?
There is no official minimum for brand deals, and many brands work with accounts of a few thousand followers in a clear niche. Instagram’s own features, such as subscriptions and gifts, have eligibility rules that change over time; check your professional dashboard for what is open to you.
How much does an Instagram account with 10,000 followers make per post?
It depends on the views a post gets. The follower rule of thumb gives about $100. Priced on views at a $15 CPM, a post with 3,000 views is worth $45 and one with 6,000 views is worth $90.
Should Reels cost more than Stories?
Usually, because a Reel stays on your profile and can reach non-followers, while a Story disappears after 24 hours. Price each format from its own average views, and sell Stories as a set of frames rather than one at a time.
What are usage rights and how much should I charge?
Usage rights let the brand reuse your content in its ads, website or emails. Many creators charge an extra percentage of the post fee for each month of use, and more for paid ads than for organic reposts. Agree the duration and channels in writing.
How do brands check whether my audience is real?
They look at reach and views compared with followers, engagement on recent posts, and the countries and ages in your insights. Sending recent insights screenshots up front saves time and supports your price.