Meeting Cost Calculator
Estimate the time and labour cost represented by a meeting. Enter attendees, minutes, and average hourly labour cost to show person-hours.
How the result changes
Only attendees changes; all other inputs stay at your current values. Each dot represents one whole-number input. This is not a forecast of real-world outcomes.
About this calculation
A meeting occupies each attendee's time, not just one block on a calendar. This calculator sums person-hours and applies an average hourly cost to estimate the labour value of that time. Estimate meeting cost when planning work or study time.
Formula
meeting cost = attendees × duration in minutes ÷ 60 × average hourly cost
Worked example
With Attendees: 8 people, Meeting duration: 45 min, Average hourly cost: 50 currency units/person-hour, person-hours is 6 person-hours.
Inputs and units
Enter the number of participants, elapsed minutes, and the average monetary cost per person-hour. The rate can be wages alone or a broader loaded cost, but it must be defined consistently before comparing meetings.
- Attendees (people): Count the people whose time cost is represented by the average rate.
- Meeting duration (min): Use the scheduled or observed meeting minutes.
- Average hourly cost (currency units/person-hour): Include the labour cost basis relevant to your organisation.
Calculation and worked example
Convert meeting minutes to hours by dividing by 60, then multiply by attendee count for person-hours. Multiply person-hours by the selected per-person hourly cost for the money estimate In compact notation, meeting cost = attendees × duration in minutes ÷ 60 × average hourly cost.
Eight attendees in a 45-minute meeting represent 8 × 0.75 = six person-hours. At an average 50 currency units per person-hour, the estimated labour cost is 300 currency units.
How to use the answer
The cost is an opportunity-cost proxy, not an invoice or evidence that a meeting was wasteful. Valuable decisions may justify more attendee time than a short meeting with little outcome.
Compare meeting formats, participant counts, or recurring schedule patterns. For participants with very different cost rates, calculate each group separately and add the resulting monetary amounts.
Assumptions and checks
Every attendee participates for the full duration at the same average hourly cost. Preparation, follow-up, facilities, software, and benefits are included only if the selected hourly figure intentionally covers them.
Multiplying 45 directly by an hourly rate treats minutes as hours and inflates cost sixtyfold. Do not count invitees who never joined unless their reserved time truly carries a cost in your model.
At 60 minutes, person-hours should equal attendee count. Halving duration while keeping attendance and rate fixed should halve estimated labour cost.
Common questions
What does the person-hours result represent?
It is the sum of all attendees' time in hours, before applying the chosen average monetary rate.
What should I check before relying on this result?
Check attendance, actual duration, and what is included in the hourly cost. Interpret the result alongside the meeting's value.
Inputs
- Attendees (people)
- Meeting duration (min)
- Average hourly cost (currency units/person-hour)