Glossary/Agency & Industry/Rate Card
Agency & Industry
Rate Card
A media owner's published list prices for ad placements, the starting point for negotiated discounts.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
A rate card is a media owner's published list of prices for ad placements, serving as the starting point for negotiated discounts. It typically details formats, positions, audiences and costs. Large advertisers and agencies rarely pay rate card prices, because volume commitments and negotiation usually secure lower effective rates.