> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Total Cost %: All Costs as Share of Revenue

> Track total costs as a percentage of net revenue. Understand what portion of revenue is consumed by all variable costs.

<Tip>
  Total cost as a percentage of net revenue, showing what portion of revenue is consumed by all variable costs.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Total Cost %** = ( **Total Cost** ÷ **Net Revenue** ) × 100
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                     | Definition                                                                    |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Total Cost**](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/total-cost) | Sum of all variable costs: COGS + fulfillment + transaction + marketing costs |
| [**Net Revenue**](/reference/metrics/orders/revenue/net-revenue)           | Gross revenue minus refunds and discounts                                     |

| Metadata        |                                                                      |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Percentage                                                           |
| **Data Source** | [Shopify](/sources/shopify), [Upstack Costs](/sources/upstack-costs) |
| **Aggregation** | Ratio                                                                |

***

## Example

Your store generated **\$125,000** in net revenue with **\$87,500** in total costs, resulting in a **70%** Total Cost %.

| Cost Category      | Amount       | % of Revenue |
| ------------------ | ------------ | ------------ |
| COGS               | \$43,750     | 35%          |
| Fulfillment        | \$12,500     | 10%          |
| Transaction        | \$3,750      | 3%           |
| Marketing          | \$21,250     | 17%          |
| Agency Fees + Opex | \$6,250      | 5%           |
| **Total Cost**     | **\$87,500** | **70%**      |

***

## How It Works

Total Cost % aggregates all cost categories—COGS, fulfillment, transaction fees, and marketing expenses—and expresses them as a percentage of net revenue. A lower percentage indicates better overall margin efficiency. This metric is the inverse of your [Contribution Margin %](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/contribution-margin-percent).

***

## When to Use

| Scenario            | Action                                                       |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Margin health check | Monitor overall cost structure relative to revenue           |
| Cost optimization   | Identify which cost categories consume the most margin       |
| Pricing decisions   | Understand if prices support your cost structure             |
| Benchmarking        | Compare cost efficiency across time periods or product lines |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                             | Relationship                           |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| [Total Cost](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/total-cost)                             | The numerator in this calculation      |
| [Net Revenue](/reference/metrics/orders/revenue/net-revenue)                                       | The denominator in this calculation    |
| [Contribution Margin %](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/contribution-margin-percent) | The inverse: 100% minus Total Cost %   |
| [COGS](/reference/metrics/orders/cogs/cogs)                                                        | Largest cost component for most stores |

[See all Contribution Margin metrics →](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin)