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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryMarketing FinanceMarketing Budget as % of Revenue

Marketing Finance

Marketing Budget as % of Revenue

Total marketing spend expressed as a share of company revenue, a common benchmark for setting and comparing marketing investment.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Marketing budget as a percentage of revenue is total marketing spend divided by company revenue, expressed as a share. It is a common benchmark for setting and comparing marketing investment across companies and industries. Typical levels vary widely, with fast-growing, consumer and software companies often spending a larger share than mature businesses.