> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CM3 per Order: Contribution Margin per Order

> Track CM3 per order for your Shopify store. Measure average contribution margin per order after marketing.

<Tip>
  CM3 per Order measures the average contribution margin per order—how much each order contributes to profit after all variable costs and marketing.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **CM3 per Order** = **CM3** ÷ **Orders**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                                             | Definition                |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| [**CM3 (Contribution Margin)**](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/contribution-margin) | Total contribution margin |
| [**Orders**](/reference/metrics/orders/counts/orders)                                              | Total order count         |

| Metadata        |                                                                      |
| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Currency                                                             |
| **Data Source** | [Shopify](/sources/shopify), [Upstack Costs](/sources/upstack-costs) |
| **Aggregation** | Average                                                              |

***

## Example

Your Shopify store has **\$42,500** CM3 from **1,250** orders.

| Component         | Value    | Calculation               |
| ----------------- | -------- | ------------------------- |
| CM3               | \$42,500 | Total contribution margin |
| Orders            | 1,250    | Order count               |
| **CM3 per Order** | **\$34** | \$42,500 ÷ 1,250          |

***

## How It Works

CM3 per Order shows the profit contribution each order makes after marketing costs. This is what remains per order to cover agency fees, OPEX, and other fixed costs. A positive CM3 per Order means orders are contributing to profit.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                      | Action                                                |
| ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Measuring order profitability | Ensure CM3 per Order is positive                      |
| Comparing channels            | Identify which channels deliver highest CM3 per Order |
| Optimizing marketing spend    | Track how spend changes affect CM3 per Order          |
| Break-even analysis           | Know your minimum orders to cover fixed costs         |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                       | Relationship               |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| [CM3](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/contribution-margin)     | Total contribution margin  |
| [CM2 per Order](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/cm2-per-order) | Variable margin per order  |
| [CM4 per Order](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin/cm4-per-order) | Operating profit per order |

[See all Contribution Margin metrics →](/reference/metrics/orders/contribution-margin)