Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)

Monthly Recurring Revenue, commonly abbreviated as MRR, is a metric used primarily by businesses with subscription-based models to measure the total predictable revenue they expect to earn every month from their subscribers or customers. It’s a critical metric because it provides a clear view of the steady income a business can expect, which is essential for budgeting, forecasting, and planning for growth.

How Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) Works

  1. Definition: MRR is the sum of all subscription revenue expressed as a monthly value. It’s a way for businesses to understand their income in a consistent, normalized manner.
  2. Calculation: To calculate MRR, multiply the number of subscribers by the average revenue per user (ARPU). For instance, if a service charges $10 per month and has 100 subscribers, its MRR would be $10 x 100 = $1,000.
  3. Usage: MRR is used to track growth and financial health. Increasing MRR indicates a growing business, while decreasing MRR could signal problems. It also helps in forecasting future revenue and in making informed decisions about investments and expenses.

Examples of Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)

  1. Example 1: A gym membership business. Let’s say the gym offers a membership at $50 per month. If they have 200 members, the MRR would be 200 members x $50 = $10,000. This figure helps the gym understand their fixed monthly income from memberships.
  2. Example 2: A software-as-a-service (SaaS) company. Assume the company offers a basic package for $30 per month and a premium package for $60 per month. If they have 150 basic subscribers and 50 premium subscribers, their MRR would be (150 x $30) + (50 x $60) = $7,500. This calculation provides a clear picture of the recurring income from their software subscriptions.

Key Points

  • MRR is vital for subscription-based businesses to understand and predict their regular income.
  • It helps in setting financial targets, budgeting, and assessing the business’s health.
  • MRR can change with the addition of new customers, customers leaving, or changes in pricing.

In summary, MRR is a straightforward yet powerful tool for subscription-based businesses to measure and forecast their revenue, aiding in making strategic business decisions.

This page was last updated on May 15, 2025.