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EVM Calculator

Use this EVM calculator to separate cost risk from schedule risk before project recovery decisions are made.

Catalog QA baseline June 6, 2026Planning estimateSource note included

Live calculator

EVM calculator

StatusCost and schedule risk

-$40,000 cost variance and -$40,000 schedule variance.

CPI0.91

Earned value divided by actual cost.

SPI0.91

Earned value divided by planned value.

Earned value summary

Keep EV, PV, AC, and BAC on the same scope, progress rule, currency, and reporting date.

EVM measureValue
Earned value$420,000
Planned value$460,000
Actual cost$460,000
Cost variance-$40,000
Schedule variance-$40,000
Cost performance index0.91
Schedule performance index0.91
Estimate at completion$985,714
Estimate to complete$525,714
Variance at completion-$85,714
Planning note

EVM is only as reliable as the progress rule and reporting boundary. Use it with schedule risk, scope changes, quality signals, and delivery context before changing commitments.

Use this for planning and comparison. Contracts, collections, payables, tax timing, payroll, refunds, one-time bills, seasonality, and accounting treatment can change the real business result.

Quick answer

EVM Calculator: what it calculates

EVM Calculator calculates earned value project health from earned value, planned value, actual cost, and budget at completion. The visible formula is CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV; EAC = BAC / CPI.

ResultEarned value project health
InputsEarned value, Planned value, Actual cost, Budget at completion
FormulaEVM formula

Formula

EVM formula

CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV; EAC = BAC / CPI

Use one scope baseline, progress rule, currency, and reporting date before comparing EV, PV, AC, and BAC.

How to use

Steps

  1. Enter earned value for completed work under the project progress rule.
  2. Enter planned value and actual cost for the same scope and reporting date.
  3. Add budget at completion if you want EAC, ETC, and VAC planning outputs.
  4. Read CPI and SPI together before deciding whether the issue is cost, schedule, or both.

Example

Sample calculation

Earned value$420,000
Planned value$460,000
Actual cost$460,000
StatusCost and schedule risk

Calculator use

Best for

  • Use this EVM calculator to separate cost risk from schedule risk before project recovery decisions are made.
  • Reviewing the visible formula and assumptions before relying on the earned value project health.
  • Comparing the output with the sample calculation and benchmark table before using it elsewhere.
  • Pricing, runway, cash flow, or work assumptions before an operating decision.

Before relying on it

Check first

  • Using the earned value project health before confirming the visible inputs match the same task and context: earned value, planned value, actual cost, and 1 additional input.
  • Ignoring that use one scope baseline, progress rule, currency, and reporting date before comparing EV, PV, AC, and BAC.
  • Skipping the source notes when the formula, benchmark, or warning depends on outside context.
  • Mixing cash and accounting profit, or monthly recurring items and one-time items.

Details

What to know before using the result

Cost signalCV and CPI

Negative CV and CPI below 1.00 indicate the project is earning less value per dollar spent.

Schedule signalSV and SPI

Negative SV and SPI below 1.00 indicate earned progress is behind the planned value baseline.

Forecast boundaryEAC from current CPI

The EAC estimate assumes current cost performance continues; update it when recovery plans or scope change.

Source notes

References used for this calculator

U.S. Department of EnergyEarned value guidance covers common EV, PV, AC, cost variance, schedule variance, CPI, and SPI terminology.

Benchmarks

How to read the result

Cost variance: EV - AC.

Positive is favorable; negative means actual cost is higher than earned value.

Schedule variance: EV - PV.

Positive is favorable; negative means earned progress is behind planned value.

Performance indexes: CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV.

Values above 1.00 are favorable; values below 1.00 indicate cost or schedule pressure.

Calculator accuracy

Methodology and assumptions

Formula

CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV; EAC = BAC / CPI

Inputs used

Earned value, Planned value, Actual cost, Budget at completion

Limitations

Business results depend on contracts, accounting treatment, taxes, payment timing, refunds, collections, and operating assumptions.

Catalog QA baseline

June 6, 2026. This date marks the catalog-wide automated and editorial QA baseline, not a tool-specific expert review.

Cite this page

Toolkit Shelf. EVM Calculator. Page version June 6, 2026. https://toolkitshelf.com/tools/evm-calculator

FAQ

Common questions

What is the difference between CPI and SPI?

CPI compares earned value with actual cost. SPI compares earned value with planned value. One can look healthy while the other is at risk.

When does EVM become misleading?

EVM becomes misleading when EV, PV, AC, and BAC are not tied to the same scope, progress rule, reporting date, and currency.

Does EVM replace a project forecast?

No. It is an early warning system. Use it with updated scope, schedule risk, quality risk, and recovery assumptions before making commitments.

Can this replace accounting or legal advice?

No. Business tools are scenario planners. Contracts, taxes, payment timing, accounting treatment, refunds, and legal requirements can change decisions.

What should I do after using a business tool?

Save the assumptions, compare a conservative scenario, and review the result with actual books, contracts, or an advisor before making a high-stakes decision.