What is the COGS formula?

COGS = Beginning Inventory + Purchases (all direct costs incurred during the period) − Ending Inventory. The result represents the cost of inventory actually sold.

What counts as a "purchase" in COGS?

Any direct cost to acquire or produce goods: raw materials, freight-in, direct labor, manufacturing supplies, and import duties. Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses are NOT included.

Why does ending inventory reduce COGS?

Ending inventory represents goods you paid for but have not yet sold. Subtracting it from available goods gives the cost of only the units that were actually sold during the period.

What if my COGS comes out negative?

A negative COGS means your ending inventory exceeds beginning inventory plus purchases, which is typically a data entry error. Check that your ending inventory value is not overstated.

How does COGS affect gross profit?

Gross Profit = Revenue − COGS. A lower COGS means higher gross profit and gross margin. Tracking COGS line by line helps identify which costs are squeezing your margins.

Cost of Goods Sold Detail Calculator

Enter beginning inventory, line-item purchases, and ending inventory to compute total Cost of Goods Sold with a detailed breakdown.

Beginning Inventory ($)

Purchases & Direct Costs

No items yet — click "Add Item" to begin.

Ending Inventory ($)

Fill in the inputs and click Calculate COGS to see your results.

Cost of Goods Sold

$0.00

Beginning Inventory + Purchases − Ending Inventory

Formula Breakdown

Beginning Inventory $0.00

Total Purchases $0.00

Goods Available for Sale $0.00

Less: Ending Inventory −$0.00

COGS $0.00

Line-Item Detail

Item	Amount	% of Available Goods

Summary

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is calculated as Beginning Inventory plus Purchases minus Ending Inventory. This calculator lets you add individual purchase line items — materials, freight, direct labor, and other costs — so you can see exactly how each input contributes after you click Calculate COGS.

How it works

Enter your beginning inventory value for the period.
Add each purchase or direct cost as a line item with a description and amount.
Enter the ending inventory value counted at the close of the period.
The calculator applies the formula: COGS = Beginning Inventory + Total Purchases − Ending Inventory.
Review the itemized breakdown table and the final COGS total.
Use the calculated values in your income statement or accounting worksheet.

Use cases

Prepare the COGS section of a monthly or annual income statement.
Break down manufacturing costs into materials, freight, and labor components.
Verify that your accounting software COGS figure matches a manual calculation.
Estimate gross profit margin by comparing COGS against revenue.
Teach students the COGS formula with a live, interactive example.
Track cost trends across periods by recalculating with updated inventory values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu