Cost Per Shot Calculator
This calculator determines the price of a single item or "shot" from a larger purchase. It's useful for finding the true cost of individual units, from ammunition rounds to liquid servings.
Select a calculation mode, enter your values, and click "Calculate".
Enter Purchase Details
Real-Life Examples
Click on an example to see a step-by-step breakdown of how the cost per unit is calculated.
Example 1: Box of Ammunition
Scenario: You buy a box of 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition for $22.99.
1. Mode: Simple
2. Inputs: Total Cost = $22.99, Total Items = 50
3. Formula: Cost Per Shot = Total Cost / Total Items
4. Calculation: $22.99 / 50
5. Result: The cost per shot is $0.46.
Example 2: Bottle of Whiskey
Scenario: A 750 mL bottle of whiskey costs $52.00, and you want to know the cost of a standard 1.5 fl oz shot.
1. Mode: By Volume
2. Inputs: Bottle Cost = $52.00, Container Volume = 750 mL, Shot Size = 1.5 fl oz
3. Conversion: The tool first converts units. 1.5 fl oz ≈ 44.36 mL. Total Shots = 750 mL / 44.36 mL ≈ 16.9 shots.
4. Formula: Cost Per Shot = Bottle Cost / Total Shots
5. Calculation: $52.00 / 16.9
6. Result: The cost per 1.5 fl oz shot is approximately $3.08.
Example 3: Case of Soda Cans
Scenario: A case from a warehouse store costs $19.99 and contains three 12-packs of soda.
1. Mode: Multi-Pack
2. Inputs: Case Cost = $19.99, Packs per Case = 3, Items per Pack = 12
3. Calculation (Total Items): 3 packs * 12 cans/pack = 36 cans total.
4. Formula: Cost Per Can = Case Cost / Total Items
5. Calculation: $19.99 / 36
6. Result: The cost per can is $0.56.
Example 4: Nespresso Coffee Pods
Scenario: A box containing 50 coffee pods costs $38.50.
1. Mode: Simple
2. Inputs: Total Cost = $38.50, Total Items = 50
3. Formula: Cost Per Pod = Total Cost / Total Items
4. Calculation: $38.50 / 50
5. Result: The cost per pod is $0.77.
Example 5: Medical Vaccine Vial
Scenario: A 10 mL vial of medicine costs a clinic $200, and each dose is 0.5 mL.
1. Mode: By Volume
2. Inputs: Container Cost = $200, Container Volume = 10 mL, Shot Size = 0.5 mL
3. Calculation (Total Doses): 10 mL / 0.5 mL/dose = 20 doses.
4. Formula: Cost Per Dose = Container Cost / Total Doses
5. Calculation: $200 / 20
6. Result: The cost per dose is $10.00.
Example 6: Bulk Pack of Batteries
Scenario: A large carton of AA batteries costs $24.00 and contains 6 smaller packs, with 8 batteries in each pack.
1. Mode: Multi-Pack
2. Inputs: Case Cost = $24.00, Packs per Case = 6, Items per Pack = 8
3. Calculation (Total Items): 6 packs * 8 batteries/pack = 48 batteries total.
4. Formula: Cost Per Battery = Case Cost / Total Items
5. Calculation: $24.00 / 48
6. Result: The cost per battery is $0.50.
Example 7: Large Bottle of Cleaning Solution
Scenario: A 1 Liter concentrate bottle costs $12.00. You want to know the cost to fill a 250mL spray bottle.
1. Mode: By Volume
2. Inputs: Container Cost = $12.00, Container Volume = 1 L, Shot Size = 250 mL
3. Calculation (Total Refills): 1 L (1000 mL) / 250 mL/refill = 4 refills.
4. Formula: Cost Per Refill = Container Cost / Total Refills
5. Calculation: $12.00 / 4
6. Result: The cost per refill is $3.00.
Example 8: Protein Powder Tub
Scenario: A 2000g tub of protein powder costs $65.00. Each serving/scoop is 30g.
1. Mode: Simple (since units are consistent: grams)
2. Note: You first calculate total servings: 2000g / 30g/serving ≈ 66.67 servings.
3. Inputs: Total Cost = $65.00, Total Items = 66.67
4. Calculation: $65.00 / 66.67
5. Result: The cost per serving is approximately $0.97.
Example 9: Buying Paintballs in Bulk
Scenario: A large case of paintballs costs $45.00. The case contains 4 sealed bags, and each bag has 500 paintballs.
1. Mode: Multi-Pack
2. Inputs: Case Cost = $45.00, Packs per Case = 4, Items per Pack = 500
3. Calculation (Total Items): 4 bags * 500 paintballs/bag = 2000 paintballs.
4. Formula: Cost Per Paintball = Case Cost / Total Items
5. Calculation: $45.00 / 2000
6. Result: The cost per paintball is $0.02.
Example 10: Cost of Espresso from Beans
Scenario: A 1000g (1kg) bag of coffee beans costs $30. A double espresso shot uses 18g of beans.
1. Mode: Simple
2. Note: First calculate total shots: 1000g / 18g/shot ≈ 55.56 shots.
3. Inputs: Total Cost = $30.00, Total Items = 55.56
4. Calculation: $30.00 / 55.56
5. Result: The cost of beans per double espresso shot is $0.54.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is this tool for?
This calculator helps you find the "unit price" or "cost per shot" of an item sold in a larger package. It's great for budgeting, comparing products, and understanding the true cost of consumer goods.
2. How do I use the "Simple" mode?
Use this for any item sold in a single pack where you know the total count. Enter the total price you paid and the total number of items in the box (e.g., bullets, batteries, tea bags).
3. How does the "By Volume" mode work?
Use this for liquids. Enter the bottle's cost, its total volume, and the size of a single serving (or "shot"). The tool automatically converts between milliliters (mL), liters (L), and fluid ounces (fl oz) to find the cost per serving.
4. What is the "Multi-Pack" mode for?
Use this when you buy a large case that contains multiple smaller, identical packs. For example, a carton from a warehouse store containing 3 separate 12-packs of soda.
5. Why did I get an error?
An error appears if you leave a required field blank or enter zero or a negative number. All inputs must be positive numbers to get a meaningful result and avoid division-by-zero errors.
6. Can I use this for things other than ammo or drinks?
Absolutely. The modes are generic. "Simple" mode can be for a pack of screws. "By Volume" can be for gasoline to find cost per gallon from a total fill-up cost. "Multi-Pack" can be for a case of protein bar boxes.
7. Can I change the currency?
The calculation is purely numerical. While the display uses a dollar sign ($), the math works for any currency (Euros, Pounds, etc.). Just enter the costs in your local currency.
8. How accurate is the volume conversion?
The tool uses standard, precise conversion factors: 1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL, and 1 Liter = 1000 mL. This is accurate for all standard consumer and commercial calculations.
9. What does the "Reset" button do?
It clears all input fields, hides the result, and sets the calculator back to the default "Simple" mode, allowing you to start a fresh calculation instantly.
10. Why is the code in a single file?
This tool is designed as a self-contained WordPress plugin. By putting all HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into one PHP file, it can be easily installed and activated on a WordPress site to be used with a simple shortcode `[cost_per_shot_calculator]`.
