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Pour Cost Calculator
Use this free calculator to determine if your drinks are priced for profit. Enter your bottle cost, size, pour size, and sell price to instantly see your pour cost percentage, profit per drink, and how many drinks you get per bottle.
Calculator Inputs
Results
Enter your bottle and drink details, then click
"Calculate Pour Cost" to see your results
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Pour Cost FAQ
What is pour cost?
Pour cost (also called cost of goods sold or COGS) is the ratio of what you paid for your spirits and mixers compared to what you sold them for. The formula is:
Pour Cost % = (Cost Per Drink ÷ Sell Price) × 100
For example, if a drink costs you $2.50 to make and you sell it for $10, your pour cost is 25%. Keeping this number low means more profit on every drink sold.
What is a good pour cost percentage for a bar?
The industry standard target is under 25%. Here's how to read your number:
- Under 25% — On target. Your pricing and portion control are working.
- 25–30% — Watch closely. Margins are tighter; review your pricing.
- Over 30% — Red flag. Usually indicates over-pouring, low pricing, or theft.
How do I lower my pour cost?
There are three main levers: standardize your pours by requiring bartenders to use jiggers on every drink — free-pouring consistently adds 10–20% to your actual pour size. Review your pricing — even a $0.50 increase per drink can drop your pour cost by 2–3 percentage points. Finally, track inventory weekly: the gap between theoretical and actual usage often reveals shrinkage from over-pouring or theft that can't be spotted any other way.