Meeting Cost Calculator
Estimate the direct time and payroll commitment behind a meeting. Use a blended planning rate—no individual salary data is needed or stored.
What this estimate includes
The calculator measures scheduled participant time at one average loaded hourly rate. It is useful for comparing meeting formats or showing the scale of a recurring calendar commitment.
Use a finance-approved planning rate when possible. If you only have salary bands, document how you converted annual compensation into an hourly estimate.
What the result does not prove
A high cost does not mean a meeting is wasteful. A consequential decision, incident response, or sensitive conversation may justify significant synchronous time. The result also does not measure preparation, context switching, or value created.
For a better decision, calculate the current format and one credible alternative, then compare both with the outcome the meeting must produce.
A three-step review
- Validate the inputs. Use a range if the blended hourly rate is uncertain.
- Model an alternative. Try fewer required attendees, a shorter decision block, or a lower cadence.
- Protect the outcome. State what the meeting produces and how the alternative will produce it.