Meeting Cost Calculator
Meeting Settings
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Live Meeting Timer
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How to Use the Meeting Cost Calculator
Enter the number of attendees, the average hourly salary (or individual salaries for each participant), and the meeting duration. The calculator instantly shows the total cost of the meeting in real-time dollars.
Adjust the duration slider to see how meeting cost scales with time. Add or remove participants to understand the per-person cost impact. The tool also shows an annualized cost if the meeting recurs weekly or monthly.
Use the results to make data-driven decisions about meeting necessity, attendee lists, and optimal duration for your team.
Why Use This Tool
Meetings are one of the largest hidden costs in any organization. A one-hour meeting with ten people earning average salaries can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Most teams never quantify this cost, leading to excessive and unproductive meetings.
This calculator turns meeting time into concrete dollar amounts, helping managers and teams prioritize which meetings are worth the investment and which could be replaced with async communication.
Key Features
- Real-time cost calculation based on attendees and salary data
- Per-minute and per-person cost breakdown
- Recurring meeting annualized cost projection
- Adjustable duration with live cost updates
- Support for different salary levels across participants
- No data stored — all calculations happen in your browser
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the meeting cost calculated?
The tool multiplies each participant's hourly rate by the meeting duration and sums the total. Hourly rate is derived from annual salary divided by standard working hours (2,080 hours per year for full-time employees).
Should I include overhead costs?
The base calculation uses salary costs only. Actual meeting costs are higher when you factor in preparation time, follow-up work, and the opportunity cost of work not done during the meeting. The tool provides a conservative baseline.
What is a good meeting cost benchmark?
There is no universal benchmark since it depends on your industry and team size. The value is in comparing relative costs — a recurring weekly meeting costing thousands per month deserves more scrutiny than a quick daily standup.
Can I share the results with my team?
Yes. Use the results to have informed conversations about meeting culture. The cost visibility often naturally leads to shorter meetings, smaller attendee lists, and more intentional scheduling.