Business & Finance

What is Gross Margin?

The percentage of revenue that exceeds the cost of goods sold, showing how much of each rupee in sales is retained as gross profit.

How It Works

Gross margin is expressed as a percentage and indicates the profitability of core business operations before operating expenses. A higher gross margin means more money is available to cover operating expenses and generate net profit. Gross margin trends over time reveal whether a business is becoming more or less efficient in production/procurement. It's different from markup — margin is calculated on selling price while markup is calculated on cost.

Formula

Gross Margin % = ((Revenue − COGS) ÷ Revenue) × 100

Real-World Example

A product sells for ₹2,000 and costs ₹1,200 to produce. Gross Margin = ((₹2,000 − ₹1,200) ÷ ₹2,000) × 100 = 40%.

Why It Matters

1

Ensures accurate financial reporting and record-keeping

2

Helps maintain regulatory and tax compliance

3

Enables better-informed business decisions

4

Improves operational efficiency and cash flow management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good gross margin?

Software/SaaS: 70–90%. Consulting: 50–70%. Manufacturing: 25–35%. Retail: 25–50%. Food/Grocery: 20–35%. Compare within your industry for meaningful benchmarks.

How is gross margin different from net margin?

Gross margin only deducts COGS from revenue. Net margin deducts ALL expenses (COGS + operating expenses + taxes + interest). Gross margin is always higher than net margin.

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