← Back to Tools
Automation payback calculator
See how many months an automation investment takes to pay for itself from its monthly saving.
Payback period
Loading the calculator.
How simple payback works
Payback period = investment ÷ monthly saving. It tells you how many months the saving takes to cover what you spent. Currency doesn't matter as long as both figures use the same one.
What to count
- Investment: the machine or retrofit, panel, software, installation, commissioning and operator training.
- Monthly saving: operator hours freed, scrap and rework avoided, and downtime no longer lost. Subtract any new running costs such as maintenance contracts, power and consumables.
Simple payback ignores interest, tax and the saving that continues after the payback date, so treat it as a first check. A shorter payback means less risk if volumes or products change.
Need this done properly on your machines?
If you are planning an automation audit with an ROI estimate, tell me about the job. I reply within 1 working day.