The POAS formula, explained step by step

POAS = ad-attributed gross profit ÷ ad spend. This guide breaks the formula into its inputs so you can compute it from your own store data with confidence.

By Catrinoiu Barna Alex Alin, Founder6 min read

Founder of Profit Bid. Builds POAS tracking and profit-based bidding for ecommerce merchants and agencies.

Live profit view

See POAS vs revenue-only reporting

Profit Bid connects store costs to ad spend so you bid on margin — not vanity ROAS.

Profit vs ad spend → derived POAS

  • Gross profit ($)
  • Ad spend ($)

POAS is the ratio between these lines. As profit outpaces steady spend, POAS climbs above 160%.

Track POAS automatically from your store — upload profit conversions and scale winners with A/C/X labels.

The five inputs behind POAS

Revenue is the ad-attributed order value. From it, subtract cost of goods sold, shipping cost or subsidy, payment and platform fees, and any refunds to reach ad-attributed gross profit.

Divide that profit by the ad spend that produced it. The result — usually shown as a percentage — is POAS.

A worked example

Say ads drove $10,000 revenue on $2,500 spend. COGS was $4,200, shipping $900, fees $300, and refunds $500. Gross profit is $4,100.

POAS = $4,100 ÷ $2,500 = 164%. The 400% ROAS looked twice as good, but 164% POAS is the number you can reinvest.

Step-by-step

Follow these in order — each step builds on the previous one.

  1. 1

    Pull ad-attributed revenue

    Export revenue attributed to ads for the period you want to measure.

  2. 2

    Subtract variable costs

    Deduct COGS, shipping, payment fees, and refunds to get gross profit.

  3. 3

    Divide by ad spend

    Gross profit ÷ ad spend = POAS. Track it as a percentage over time.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this topic — tap to read answers.

Is POAS a percentage or a ratio?

Both notations exist. 164% POAS and 1.64x POAS mean the same thing: $1.64 of gross profit per $1 of ad spend.

Where do I get COGS and fees?

From your ecommerce platform and payment processor. Profit Bid syncs them automatically so POAS stays accurate.

Pricing

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Select a plan and continue to secure checkout — POAS conversion upload included on every tier.

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