Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator
Forecast the total cost of the project from performance so far.
In short
Forecast the total cost of the project from performance so far.
Formula: EAC (CPI method) = BAC ÷ CPI; EAC (CPI×SPI method) = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI); ETC = EAC − AC; VAC = BAC − EAC; TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC)
What this calculator does
Published earned value forecasting formulas; the estimator chooses which assumption about future performance applies. The forecast method is chosen by the user and named in the result, because each one embodies a different assumption about future performance.
Use it to turn Currency, Budget at completion (BAC), Earned value (EV), Actual cost (AC), and the other shown inputs into a checked result you can compare, copy, or rerun with different assumptions.
The page shows the formula, a numeric worked example, and the assumptions that affect this professional & industry calculation.
Inputs and what they mean
- Currency
- — Amounts are shown in the currency you pick. No exchange rate is applied..
- Budget at completion (BAC)
- — number value.
- Earned value (EV)
- — number value.
- Actual cost (AC)
- — number value.
- Planned value (PV)
- — number value.
- Forecast method
- — Each method assumes something different about future performance..
How to use it
- Enter your own figures — the calculator never fills in a rate, price or benchmark for you.
- Press Calculate to see the result.
- Read the formula, variables, assumptions and source below the result before you rely on it.
Formula
EAC (CPI method) = BAC ÷ CPI; EAC (CPI×SPI method) = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI); ETC = EAC − AC; VAC = BAC − EAC; TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC).
Inputs used: Currency, Budget at completion (BAC), Earned value (EV), Actual cost (AC), Planned value (PV), Forecast method.
Edge handling: Budget at completion (BAC) is required.; Budget at completion (BAC) must be greater than zero.; Budget at completion (BAC) must be no more than 1000000000000.; Earned value (EV) is required.; Earned value (EV) cannot be negative..
Worked example
$500,000 budget, $200,000 earned, $250,000 spent
- Start with Currency: USD, Budget at completion (BAC): 500000, Earned value (EV): 200000, Actual cost (AC): 250000, Planned value (PV): 220000, Forecast method: cpi.
- Apply the method: EAC (CPI method) = BAC ÷ CPI; EAC (CPI×SPI method) = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI); ETC = EAC − AC; VAC = BAC − EAC; TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC).
- Forecast assuming future work continues at the current cost performance.
Reading the result
The headline figure is the main answer. Any breakdown underneath shows the parts that make it up, so you can check the working and see what changes when you adjust an input.
Limitations and assumptions
- Inputs outside the supported range are rejected rather than forced into a result.
- The result depends on the values you enter for this estimate at completion (eac) calculator; it does not supply missing rates, rules, prices, dates, or assumptions for you.
Reference: PMI — Earned value management — PMI practice guidance
Last reviewed:
Common questions
Where does this formula come from?
PMI earned value management practice guidance: EAC, ETC, VAC and TCPI formulas. See the source link on this page.
What kind of calculation is this?
Published earned value forecasting formulas; the estimator chooses which assumption about future performance applies. Check the formula, example, and limitations on this page before using the result for a real professional & industry decision.
What are its limits?
A forecast, not a commitment. Different methods legitimately give different answers.
How do I use the Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator?
Enter the required values for Currency, Budget at completion (BAC), Earned value (EV), Actual cost (AC), Planned value (PV), and the other fields shown. The calculator applies the formula on this page and shows the main result with any supporting breakdown so you can check the arithmetic.
What formula does the Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator use?
EAC (CPI method) = BAC ÷ CPI; EAC (CPI×SPI method) = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI); ETC = EAC − AC; VAC = BAC − EAC; TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC) The visible formula section above lists the calculation path and the edge cases the page handles, so the result can be checked without relying on the form alone. Check the formula, example, and limitations on this page before using the result for a real professional & industry decision.
Can the Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator be used for exact decisions?
Use it as a calculation aid, not as a substitute for checking the underlying rule, contract, policy, or professional advice that applies to your situation. When a result depends on local rules, personal details, prices, or dates, enter those values yourself and confirm them before acting.
Formula, source and verification
Published earned value forecasting formulas; the estimator chooses which assumption about future performance applies.
The question it answers: Given how the project has gone so far, what will it cost in total?
The formula
EAC (CPI method) = BAC ÷ CPI; EAC (CPI×SPI method) = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI); ETC = EAC − AC; VAC = BAC − EAC; TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC)
- BAC — Budget at completion
- (currency). Total authorised budget.
- EV — Earned value
- (currency). Budgeted cost of completed work.
- AC — Actual cost
- (currency). Cost incurred to date.
- PV — Planned value
- (currency). Budgeted cost of scheduled work, used for the SPI method.
Units: Currency throughout; TCPI is dimensionless.
What kind of calculation this is
Estimation model. This is a published estimation model. It produces an estimate, not a measured fact, and its accuracy depends on how well your situation matches the model.
Method
The forecast method is chosen by the user and named in the result, because each one embodies a different assumption about future performance.
Published alternatives
More than one published form of this calculation exists. Each one assumes something different, so the right one depends on your situation.
EAC using the cost performance index (used by default)
EAC = BAC ÷ CPI
Use it when: Use when cost performance to date is expected to continue.
It assumes: Future cost efficiency behaves like the observed CPI.
EAC treating the overrun as a one-off
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV)
Use it when: Use when the variance so far came from a cause that has been fixed.
It assumes: Remaining work is completed at the budgeted rate.
EAC using cost and schedule performance together
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI)
Use it when: Use when the schedule must be recovered within the current cost performance.
It assumes: Both cost and schedule efficiency persist to the end.
EAC using a fresh bottom-up estimate to complete
EAC = AC + bottom-up ETC
Use it when: Use when the original plan is no longer valid and the team has re-estimated the remaining work.
It assumes: The new bottom-up estimate of remaining work is reliable.
Assumptions built into the result
- Business: The chosen method's assumption about future performance is stated in the result.
Figures this calculator will never guess for you
- No unstated blend of methods and no hidden contingency.
Limitations
- A forecast, not a commitment. Different methods legitimately give different answers.
Source and version
- Standard or reference
- Earned value forecasting — PMI (PMI earned value management practice guidance: EAC, ETC, VAC and TCPI formulas.)
- Published source
- PMI — Practice guidance
- Formula version
- Version 1
- Verification
- Reviewed against the cited source on
- How much weight the source carries
- Standards or government
- Applies to
- Currency
- Amounts stay in the currency you choose; no exchange rate is applied.
Cite this page
Free Calculator. (2026, September 15). Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator. https://freecalculator.tech/tools/estimate-at-completion-calculator
"Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator." Free Calculator, 15 Sept. 2026, https://freecalculator.tech/tools/estimate-at-completion-calculator.
Estimate at Completion (EAC) Calculator — Free Calculator, https://freecalculator.tech/tools/estimate-at-completion-calculator
Related tools
Work out the hourly rate to charge a client so that target margin is met after overhead and non-billable time.
Find the true hourly cost of an employee once benefits, payroll cost and overhead are included.
Size a software application from its data and transaction functions before estimating effort or cost.
Estimate development effort, schedule and average team size for a software project of a known size.
Express cloud spend as a cost per customer, per transaction or per other business unit.
Set the rate used to apply manufacturing overhead to jobs for the coming period.