Price Per Use Calculator
See the true cost of a purchase by dividing its price over how many times you use it — the cost-per-use of clothes, gear and gadgets.
How it works
Cost per use = (price − resale value) ÷ (uses per year × years owned)
Price-per-use reframes a purchase around how much you actually use it rather than the sticker shock of the upfront price. A costly item used constantly can be cheaper per use than a bargain that sits in a closet — the classic case for "buy it for life" quality over disposable cheapness. Subtracting any eventual resale value gives the net cost you truly bear. Use it to compare owning versus renting, or a pricey durable option against a cheap one you will replace.
Worked example
A $120 jacket worn twice a week for 3 years gets 52 × 2 × 3 = 312 wears, so it costs about $0.38 per wear. A $40 jacket worn the same way but replaced yearly costs $40 across 104 wears each year — roughly the same $0.38 — so quality only wins if it lasts and stays in rotation.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a good cost per use?
There is no universal number — it depends on the item. The point is comparison: use it to weigh a durable, expensive option against a cheap one you will replace, or to decide whether a rarely-used gadget is worth owning versus renting or borrowing.
Should I include resale value?
If you realistically expect to resell the item — a car, a designer bag, quality tools — subtract what you will recover, since that lowers the true cost you bear. Leave it at zero for things that end up worthless or that you will keep forever.
How does this help me buy better?
It rewards items you use often and penalizes impulse buys that get little use. Before a big purchase, honestly estimate your usage: if the cost per use is high, that is a signal to rent, borrow, buy cheaper, or skip it.
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Educational estimate, not financial advice.