Practical use cases
- Putting a rough figure on whether a training initiative covered its cost.
- Comparing the estimated return of different initiatives on a consistent basis.
- Scoping whether to measure a programme’s outcomes more formally.
Calculator
Works entirely in your browser — nothing is sent, saved or tracked. Results update as you type.
How it works
The formula is:
ROI % = ((estimated benefit − total cost) ÷ total cost) × 100; Net benefit = estimated benefit − total cost
The benefit is your own estimate — the calculator holds no benchmark or salary data. Benefit is the hardest part to estimate honestly; be conservative and state your assumptions.
Worked example: If you estimate a benefit of 20,000 against a cost of 8,000, ROI = ((20,000 − 8,000) ÷ 8,000) × 100 = 150%, with a net benefit of 12,000.
For the full background — what it measures, why it matters and how to read it — see the training effectiveness metrics guide.
How to read the result
A positive ROI means your estimated benefit exceeds the cost; a negative ROI means it does not. The result is only as credible as your benefit estimate, so treat it as illustrative.
Use it to compare options and to decide whether a more formal evaluation is worth doing — not as a precise financial claim.
Common mistakes
- Overstating the benefit to justify a programme.
- Leaving out real costs such as participants’ time.
- Comparing ROI figures built on different benefit assumptions.
- Presenting an estimate as an audited financial result.
Free, printable planning resources
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