Guides

Plain-language explainers on how to calculate the numbers that matter — each paired with a free calculator so you can skip the math.

Business

Markup vs Margin: What's the Difference?

Markup and margin use the same profit but different bases. The two formulas, a conversion table, and a worked example so you never confuse them.

Business

What Is a Good LTV:CAC Ratio?

Why 3:1 is the benchmark, how to calculate the ratio from gross-profit LTV, and what a number that's too high or too low is telling you.

Business

What Is a Good Profit Margin?

Gross vs operating vs net margin, typical benchmarks by industry, a worked example, and practical ways to improve the number.

Business

What Is a Good Conversion Rate?

Average rates by industry and channel, why revenue per visitor beats conversion rate alone, and how to lift the number.

Business

How to Calculate ROI

The ROI formula, a worked example, how to annualize returns for fair comparison, and the limitations to keep in mind.

Business

What Are MRR and ARR?

The definitions and formulas, when to use each, the four forces behind net new MRR, and why investors value recurring revenue.

Business

What Is the Rule of 40?

The formula, a worked example, which margin to use, and when the benchmark actually applies to a software business.

Business

What Is a Good ROAS?

Why break-even ROAS depends on your margin, what counts as good by business type, and how ROAS differs from ROI.

Business

How to Reduce Customer Churn

Why small churn reductions compound into big LTV gains, the common causes, and proven strategies to keep more customers.

Business

What Is EBITDA?

The formula, a worked example, how it differs from net income, and the limitations to remember before relying on it.

Finance

How to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Learn how to calculate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio step by step, what counts as debt, the front-end vs back-end formula, and the DTI lenders want for a mortgage.

Health

How Much Protein Should You Eat a Day?

How much protein you need per day to lose weight, build muscle, or maintain — in grams per pound, with a worked example, timing tips, and GLP-1 considerations.

Finance

What Is a Good Debt-to-Income Ratio?

What counts as a good debt-to-income ratio in 2026, the DTI lenders want by loan type (mortgage, FHA, VA, auto), and where your number should land.

Finance

How to Lower Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Practical, proven ways to lower your debt-to-income ratio before a mortgage or loan application — which debts to attack first and a realistic timeline.

Finance

How to Calculate Self-Employment Tax

How to calculate self-employment tax for 2026: the 15.3% rate, the 92.35% adjustment, the $184,500 Social Security wage base, and the deductible half — with an example.

Health

How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?

How much water to drink each day based on your body weight, exercise, and climate — the simple formula, a worked example, and whether coffee and food count.

Finance

How Much House Can I Afford?

How much house you can afford based on your income, debts, and down payment — the 28/36 rule, what lenders approve, and a worked example.

Finance

How to Calculate a Mortgage Payment

The mortgage payment formula explained, what PITI means, and a worked example for a $300,000 loan — plus how rate, term, and extra payments change it.

Finance

How Does Compound Interest Work?

How compound interest works, the formula, the Rule of 72, and why starting early matters — with a clear worked example you can follow.

Finance

How Much Should Be in an Emergency Fund?

How big your emergency fund should be, the 3–6 month rule, where to keep it, and how to build one fast — with a simple way to size yours.

Career

$60,000 a Year Is How Much an Hour?

What a $60,000 salary works out to per hour, month, and paycheck — the math, gross vs take-home, and a table of nearby salaries.

Career

How Is Overtime Pay Calculated?

How overtime pay works under the FLSA — the time-and-a-half rule, who qualifies, and a worked example showing exactly how to calculate it.

Health

What Are My Maintenance Calories?

What maintenance calories (TDEE) are, how to calculate them with the Mifflin-St Jeor formula and activity level, and how to set cut or bulk targets.

Health

How to Calculate Your Macros

How to calculate your macros — protein, carbs, and fat — from your calorie target, with a worked example and how to adjust for fat loss or muscle gain.

Health

What Is a Good Body Fat Percentage?

Healthy body fat percentage ranges for men and women, the standard categories, how it differs from BMI, and how to measure and lower it.

Finance

Roth vs Traditional IRA

Roth vs traditional IRA explained — the tax difference, when each one wins, income and contribution rules, and whether you can have both.

Health

What Is a Healthy Waist-to-Hip Ratio?

A healthy waist-to-hip ratio is 0.90 or below for men and 0.85 or below for women — what the number means, how to measure it, and how it compares to BMI.

Health

What Is a Good FFMI?

What a good fat-free mass index looks like for men and women, the score ranges, the natural limit around 25, and how FFMI differs from BMI.

Health

What Is a Good VO2 Max by Age?

Good VO2 max values by age and sex, charts for men and women, and how to estimate and improve your aerobic fitness.

Health

How Many Calories Does Walking Burn?

How many calories walking burns based on your weight, pace, and time — the MET formula, a calories-by-weight table, and tips to burn more.

How $10,000 grows at 7%
Compounding is the thread running through many of these guides — small rates, big long-run gaps.
After 10 years$19,672After 20 years$38,697After 30 years$76,123
Maintained & reviewed by Chase Bennett, President of CalcHeadquarters · Editorial policy & methodology