How Much Should I Charge for a YouTube Sponsorship?
The most common question creators ask when a brand reaches out. This guide covers everything you need to know about pricing your sponsorships in 2026.
4 Factors That Determine Your Sponsorship Rate
Before you can set a rate, you need to understand what makes your channel valuable to brands:
Average Views Per Video
This is the most important metric. Brands pay for eyeballs, not subscriber counts. A channel with 50K subscribers averaging 30K views is more valuable than one with 200K subscribers averaging 10K views. Calculate your average from your last 10-20 videos, excluding any viral outliers.
Content Niche
Your niche determines your CPM (cost per thousand views). Finance, business, and tech channels command $25-$35+ CPM because their audiences have higher purchasing power. Gaming and entertainment channels typically see $15-$20 CPM. See full CPM table by niche.
Audience Demographics
Where your audience lives matters. US, UK, Canada, and Australia audiences are worth 2-3x more than audiences in lower-income countries. Age and gender also factor in depending on the brand's target market. Check your YouTube Analytics for this data.
Engagement Rate
High engagement (likes, comments, watch time) indicates an active, trusting audience. Brands pay premiums for channels where viewers actually pay attention and take action. An engagement rate above 5% can justify 20-30% higher rates.
Quick Reference: Rate Ranges by Channel Size
These ranges assume a standard 60-second integration for a US-based audience in a mid-tier niche ($20-25 CPM):
| Avg Views/Video | Rate Range |
|---|---|
| 5,000 - 10,000 | $100 - $250 |
| 10,000 - 25,000 | $250 - $625 |
| 25,000 - 50,000 | $625 - $1,250 |
| 50,000 - 100,000 | $1,250 - $2,500 |
| 100,000 - 250,000 | $2,500 - $6,250 |
| 250,000 - 500,000 | $6,250 - $12,500 |
| 500,000 - 1,000,000 | $12,500 - $25,000 |
| 1,000,000+ | $25,000+ |
* Adjust up for premium niches (finance, business, tech) or down for entertainment/gaming.
The CPM Calculation Method
The most reliable way to price sponsorships is using the CPM (Cost Per Mille) method:
Your Rate =
(Average Views / 1,000) × Your Niche CPM
Example: Tech Channel
- Average views: 80,000
- Niche CPM: $30
- Calculation: (80,000 / 1,000) × $30
- = $2,400 per integration
Example: Gaming Channel
- Average views: 150,000
- Niche CPM: $18
- Calculation: (150,000 / 1,000) × $18
- = $2,700 per integration
5 Common Pricing Mistakes Creators Make
Pricing Based on Subscriber Count
Subscribers don't watch videos—views do. A "dead" channel with 1M subscribers and 20K views is worth less than a growing channel with 100K subscribers and 50K views.
Accepting the First Offer
Brands almost always have more budget than their initial offer. Their first number is a starting point for negotiation, not a final offer.
Ignoring Usage Rights
If a brand wants to repurpose your content in ads, that's worth 50-100% extra. Always clarify usage rights before agreeing to a rate.
Not Accounting for Production Time
Sponsorships require extra work: script writing, revisions, brand approvals. Factor in your time when setting rates.
Comparing to Other Creators Without Context
Another creator charging $5K doesn't mean you should too. Their niche, demographics, and engagement might be completely different from yours.
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