How do I calculate product cost per service?

Divide the container cost by its size to get the cost per ml/gram. Multiply by the amount used per service. For example, a £15 bottle of 500ml shampoo costs £0.03/ml. If you use 30ml per wash, the shampoo cost per service is £0.90. Add up all products used in the service for the total product cost.

What percentage of service price should product costs be?

Product costs should typically be 5-15% of the service price. For a £50 cut and blow dry, product costs should be under £7.50. Colour services have higher product costs (10-20% of price). If product costs exceed 20% of your service price, your pricing may be too low or you are using too much product.

Should I include all products in the cost calculation?

Yes, include everything used during the service: shampoo, conditioner, styling products, heat protectant, colour, developer, foils, gloves, towels (laundry cost), and any other consumables. These small costs add up — even £0.50 per service equals £130/month at 10 services per day.

How can I reduce product costs per service?

Buy in bulk for better per-unit pricing. Use measured dispensers to control amounts. Dilute concentrated products correctly. Avoid waste by mixing only what is needed. Train all staff on correct product amounts. Switch to professional back bar sizes (litre bottles) instead of retail sizes for salon use.

CutCalcs

Product Cost Calculator — Cost Per Service

Calculate the product cost per individual service for accurate pricing.

Container Size

Container Cost

Amount Used Per Service

Other Product Costs

Other products used in service

Service Price

Optional — to calculate % of price

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the exact product cost per service by calculating the cost per ml/g of the container and multiplying by the amount used.

The formula

Cost per ml = Container cost / Container size

Product cost per service = Cost per ml x Amount used + Additional products

Product % = Total product cost / Service price x 100

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.