Free tool
Cost per wear calculator
Divide the price by the number of times you will really wear it. Put two items side by side and see what each wear costs before you buy.
The numbers below are an example. Change them to yours.
Item A
Cost per wear
--
Item B
Cost per wear
--
This only holds if you really wear each one that many times.
Break-even for Item A
Every extra wear lowers what each wear costs. The highlighted bar is the one closest to your guess.
Still not sure? Sleep on it.
If the math says yes but your gut says maybe, save it to Favelist and give it a few days. Most of the pull fades on its own. If you still want it when the cooldown ends, buy it and wear it a lot.
How cost per wear works
Cost per wear = price / number of wears. A $240 coat worn 50 times costs $4.80 per wear. A $60 jacket worn 15 times costs $4.00 per wear. The cheaper jacket looks like the bargain, but it only stays that way if it lasts, and if you reach for it as often as you think.
The verdicts are a quick read, not a rule. Under 2 is an easy yes, 2 to 5 is good value, 5 to 15 needs a gut check, and 15 or more is worth thinking twice about. The same cutoffs are used in every currency.
Three tips for a fair number
- Be honest about wears. Think about how often you wear similar things now, not how often you plan to wear this one. Most of us guess too high. For occasion pieces, count occasions.
- Compare like with like. A cheap item that falls apart after one season may never reach its wears, and a pricey one that lasts years often wins. Use the slider to test a smaller number for the cheaper item.
- Sleep on it. A good number is a reason to buy, not a reason to buy right now. Give it a few days and see if you still want it.
Questions
What is cost per wear?
Cost per wear is what an item really costs each time you use it: the price divided by the number of times you wear it. A $200 coat worn 100 times costs $2 per wear. A $40 top worn twice costs $20 per wear.
How do you calculate cost per wear?
Divide the price by the number of wears. For a $240 coat you expect to wear 50 times, that is $240 / 50 = $4.80 per wear. This calculator does the math for two items at once, so you can compare them.
What is a good cost per wear?
There is no single answer, but as a rough guide: under $2 per wear is an easy yes, $2 to $5 is good value, $5 to $15 deserves a gut check, and over $15 means think twice. Everyday pieces like jeans, coats and shoes should land at the low end. A special-occasion dress can sit higher if it matters to you.
Does cost per wear work for shoes, bags and other things?
Yes. Anything you use again and again works: shoes, bags, coats, jewelry, kitchen gear, even gym equipment. Count uses instead of wears. It works less well for things you use once, like a gift or a one-off event outfit.
Does the calculator save or send my numbers?
No. It runs entirely in your browser, with no account and nothing stored. The Share button only builds a link that has your numbers in it, so someone who opens it sees the same result.