Free tool · Magazine
Magazine valuation calculator
Estimate what your consumer or enthusiast magazine is worth using EBITDA multiples and the MVIC/net-sales revenue multiple.
How to value a magazine
- 1
Pick your business type
Select newspaper, magazine, B2B publisher, newsletter, or YouTube channel. Each type uses a different primary method and different benchmark ranges.
- 2
Enter financials and audience
Revenue, adjusted EBITDA, subscriber or audience count, and ARPU. The tool won't invent numbers you don't provide.
- 3
Answer the seven value drivers
Recurring mix, audience ownership, IP depth, margin quality, key-person risk, advertiser concentration, and growth. Each nudges the multiple within its band.
- 4
Read your valuation range
You get a blended low-to-high range across three methods, plus a mid-point. Below that, the method-by-method breakdown shows exactly how each number was built.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I value a magazine business?
- Two methods. EBITDA multiples of 2.5–5.0x (Fulcrum reports a median of 3.7x for periodical publishing) plus the MVIC/net-sales revenue multiple of 0.5–2.0x. Niche and enthusiast titles with high reader affinity trade above the median on both methods.
- What's a fair multiple for a niche magazine?
- Niche titles with strong subscription mix (>60% recurring), engaged audience, and 40%+ gross margin often clear 4–5x adjusted EBITDA. Mass-market ad-dependent titles cluster closer to 2.5–3.5x.
- Why use both EBITDA and MVIC/sales?
- Fulcrum's periodical MVIC/EBITDA multiples have a huge spread (1.2x–33.6x) because reported EBITDA is volatile in magazine publishing. The MVIC/sales multiple is a more stable second read that buyers cross-check against — especially when a title has one-off editorial or ad-sales expenses that muddy the earnings picture.
- How accurate is this valuation calculator?
- Ranges are grounded in published industry benchmarks (gomerge, Fulcrum, and Poynter) and are meant as a preliminary estimate — not a formal appraisal. Real transactions depend on buyer strategy, deal structure, and comparable-sale timing. Treat this as a starting point for a conversation with an M&A advisor.
- What's the difference between EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA?
- Adjusted EBITDA adds back owner compensation above market rate, one-time expenses, and non-recurring items. For owner-operated media businesses, this is usually higher than reported EBITDA — sometimes materially. Use adjusted EBITDA in this calculator.
- Why two methods instead of one?
- Different buyers weight different methods. Strategic acquirers usually anchor on EBITDA. Financial buyers, roll-up players, and creator-market operators cross-check against the alternative — ARR for B2B, per-subscriber for newspapers and newsletters, revenue multiple for magazines and YouTube. Showing both is how buyers actually triangulate.
- Do I need to enter every field?
- No. Any field left at zero drops the corresponding method from the blend. At minimum, enter revenue and either EBITDA or subscriber count with ARPU. The tool won't invent numbers you didn't provide.
- Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
- Your inputs are stored in your browser's local storage so the calculator remembers them if you refresh. Nothing is sent to Pelcro or a third party unless you submit the email form to request the full breakdown.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or M&A advice. Ranges are based on published industry benchmarks (gomerge, Fulcrum, Poynter), not live comparable-sale data. Consult a qualified M&A advisor before making decisions.