Free tool · YouTube / creator channel
YouTube channel valuation calculator
Estimate what your YouTube channel or creator business is worth using SDE multiples and the revenue multiple, with a built-in platform-dependency discount.
How to value a youtube / creator channel
- 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 YouTube channel?
- Two methods. SDE multiples of 1.2–2.5x (SDE usually applies more cleanly than EBITDA — most channels are owner-operated) plus a revenue multiple of 2–4x annual net revenue, discounted for platform dependency per gomerge's creator-channel methodology. Diversified channels with owned email lists trade at the top of both ranges.
- How much is my YouTube channel worth?
- A channel doing $250k/year in AdSense, sponsorships, and merch — with an owned email list — often values at $300k–$625k on SDE and $375k–$750k on revenue (post-discount). The audience-ownership driver shifts the platform-dependency discount from 40% (platform-only) down to 10% (strong owned audience), which is the single biggest lever.
- Why is there a platform-dependency discount?
- YouTube's algorithm controls reach. A channel that loses its algorithm favor can lose 60–80% of monthly revenue in weeks. Buyers know this and discount accordingly. Reducing the discount requires diversified audience surfaces (email, second platform, direct-to-consumer product) and stable revenue outside AdSense.
- 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.