Law of Averages Calculator
What is every "no" really worth? Put in your real numbers — calls, meetings, sales, job applications, anything — and see your ratio, the value of each contact, your weakest step, and how many people you need to reach your goal.
What this tool does
It follows Allan Pease's law of averages from Questions Are the Answer. You enter how many people reached each of four steps. The tool turns that into a ratio per 10 contacts, works out what each contact — and so each "no" — is worth, shows the step where you lose the most people, and tells you how many contacts you need each month and each day to reach your goal.
When to use it
- Any selling: products, services, insurance, property, freelance work.
- Job hunting: applications, replies, interviews, offers.
- Online: visitors, clicks, sign-ups, buyers.
- When rejection gets you down — seeing what each "no" is worth changes how it feels.
How to read the result
- Ratio: out of every 10 people you contact, how many reach each step. The book's sponge example was 10 : 7 : 4 : 2.
- "Every no is worth": your total earnings divided by all contacts. Each no is a step toward the next yes.
- Red bar: the step where the biggest share of people drop off. Improve that one step first — it has the biggest effect.
- Contacts per day: if this number is higher than you can really do, the goal needs more time, a better ratio, or a higher value per yes.
What it cannot tell you
- It needs honest, real numbers. Small samples (under 30–50 contacts) can mislead.
- It doesn't count your costs — travel, samples, fees, your time. Check those with the hourly rate calculator or the direct selling income calculator.
- Ratios change when your market changes. If you keep asking the same small circle, results fall.
- More contacts is never a reason to pressure anyone. A respectful "no" keeps a door open for later.
Questions people ask
What is the law of averages?
If you do the same thing the same way under the same conditions, you get roughly the same results. Your past ratio of contacts to sales is the best guide to what your next contacts will bring.
How is the value of a "no" calculated?
Total earnings divided by the number of contacts gives what each contact is worth. Since most contacts end in no, each no is part of the path to the yes, so it carries that same value.
How many contacts do I need before the numbers mean anything?
At least 30 to 50 contacts. With fewer, one lucky or unlucky day can change the ratio a lot.
Does this work for job applications?
Yes. Use applications sent, replies, interviews and offers as the four steps. Put the monthly salary as the value of a yes to see what each application is worth.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent.