The Formula Every Laundromat Owner Needs to Know
If you can’t calculate your laundromat’s revenue potential before you buy or build, you’re gambling. The good news is that laundromat revenue math is straightforward. It comes down to one formula, one key metric (turns per day), and some honest assumptions.
I use this formula to project revenue for my own store and to evaluate potential acquisitions. Here’s how it works.
The Laundromat Revenue Formula
Daily Revenue = Number of Machines x Average Vend Price x Turns Per Day
That’s it. The whole thing. Let’s break down each variable.
Number of Machines
This is your total washer count. Dryer revenue is calculated separately but follows the same logic. A typical laundromat has 20 to 50 washers.
Average Vend Price
This is the average price per wash cycle across all your machine sizes. If you have a mix of $3.00, $5.00, $7.50, and $10.00 machines, your average vend might be $5.50 to $6.50 depending on the mix. Don’t just average the prices — weight them by the number of machines at each price point.
Turns Per Day
A “turn” is one complete wash cycle. Turns per day is how many times each machine runs in an average day. This is the most important metric in the laundromat business.
What Good Turns Per Day Looks Like
| Turns Per Day | Performance Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Poor | Store is underperforming. Location, pricing, or condition issue |
| 3-4 | Average | Typical for many stores. Room to improve |
| 4-6 | Good | Healthy, profitable store |
| 6-8 | Excellent | High-demand location. Consider adding capacity |
| 8+ | Maxed Out | You need more machines or a bigger store |
New stores typically start at 2-3 turns per day and build to 4-5 over 6-12 months as they establish a customer base. If you’re evaluating an existing store for purchase, ask for actual turn data (smart machines track this) or calculate from reported revenue.
Revenue Examples by Store Size
Here are three scenarios showing how the formula works in practice:
Small Store: 20 Washers
| Machine Size | Count | Vend Price | Turns/Day | Daily Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | 6 | $3.00 | 5 | $90 |
| 30 lb | 6 | $4.50 | 5 | $135 |
| 40 lb | 4 | $6.50 | 4 | $104 |
| 60 lb | 4 | $9.00 | 3.5 | $126 |
| Washer Total | 20 | $455 | ||
| Dryer Revenue | $205 (45% of washer) | |||
| Daily Total | $660 |
Monthly revenue: ~$19,800 (30 days). Annual: ~$237,600.
Medium Store: 30 Washers
| Machine Size | Count | Vend Price | Turns/Day | Daily Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | 6 | $3.00 | 5 | $90 |
| 30 lb | 8 | $4.50 | 5 | $180 |
| 40 lb | 6 | $6.50 | 4.5 | $176 |
| 60 lb | 6 | $9.00 | 4 | $216 |
| 80 lb | 4 | $11.00 | 3.5 | $154 |
| Washer Total | 30 | $816 | ||
| Dryer Revenue | $367 (45% of washer) | |||
| Daily Total | $1,183 |
Monthly revenue: ~$35,490. Annual: ~$425,900.
Large Store: 50 Washers
| Machine Size | Count | Vend Price | Turns/Day | Daily Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | 10 | $3.00 | 5 | $150 |
| 30 lb | 12 | $4.50 | 5 | $270 |
| 40 lb | 10 | $6.50 | 4.5 | $293 |
| 60 lb | 10 | $9.00 | 4 | $360 |
| 80 lb | 8 | $11.00 | 3.5 | $308 |
| Washer Total | 50 | $1,381 | ||
| Dryer Revenue | $621 (45% of washer) | |||
| Daily Total | $2,002 |
Monthly revenue: ~$60,060. Annual: ~$720,720.
How to Calculate Dryer Revenue
Dryer revenue is harder to pin down because customers pay by time increment rather than per cycle. The industry standard is that dryer revenue equals 40-50% of washer revenue. Some stores hit 50%+ if they have good dryer capacity and efficient machines.
If your dryers take forever to dry (old machines, clogged ducts, undersized capacity), dryer revenue suffers because customers either don’t dry completely or leave frustrated. Investing in quality dryers and proper maintenance directly impacts this number. See our dryer buyer’s guide for equipment recommendations.
Factors That Increase Turns Per Day
Location and Demographics
Laundromats in dense, renter-heavy neighborhoods with limited in-unit laundry get more turns. This is the single biggest factor and it’s determined before you open.
Operating Hours
A store open 6 AM to 11 PM (17 hours) gets more turns than one open 8 AM to 8 PM (12 hours). Extended hours cost little in additional overhead since laundromats can run unattended.
Machine Speed
Modern front-load washers complete cycles in 25-35 minutes. Older machines may take 40-50 minutes. Faster cycles mean more turns per day. This is a real argument for investing in new equipment.
Store Condition and Experience
Clean, well-lit stores with working machines attract and retain more customers. It sounds obvious, but half the laundromats in America are dingy and poorly maintained. Simply being better than your competition drives turns.
Payment Options
Accepting card and mobile payments in addition to coins removes a friction point. Customers who run out of quarters don’t leave — they tap their card.
Using the Formula to Evaluate a Laundromat Purchase
When a seller tells you their store does $25,000/month, reverse-engineer the turns:
$25,000/month = $833/day total. If dryer revenue is 45%, washer revenue is about $575/day. With 25 washers at an average vend of $5.50, that’s $575 / 25 / $5.50 = 4.2 turns per day.
4.2 turns is solid and realistic. If the math requires 8+ turns to justify the claimed revenue, the seller’s numbers are inflated.
For guidance on what you should pay for a store, check our laundromat startup cost guide. The optimal machine mix guide can help you evaluate whether a store’s equipment lineup is optimized for revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are turns per day in a laundromat?
Turns per day is the number of complete wash or dry cycles a machine completes in a single day. It’s the most important metric for measuring laundromat performance. Good stores average 4 to 6 turns per day. Below 3 indicates a problem; above 7 means the store is at or near capacity.
How much revenue does a laundromat make per month?
Revenue varies widely by store size, location, and equipment. A small store (20 washers) in a decent location typically generates $15,000 to $25,000/month. Mid-size stores (30-40 washers) average $25,000 to $45,000/month. Large stores (50+ washers) can exceed $50,000/month. These are gross revenue figures before expenses.
How do I track turns per day in my laundromat?
Modern machines with smart controls (Speed Queen Quantum, Dexter DexterLive, etc.) track cycle counts automatically and report them through management software. For older machines without smart controls, divide your daily revenue by the number of machines and the average vend price. You can also install aftermarket counters on individual machines.
What vend prices should I charge in my laundromat?
Vend prices depend on your local market, machine size, and competition. In 2026, typical vend prices range from $2.50 to $4.00 for 20 lb washers, $3.50 to $5.50 for 30 lb, $5.00 to $7.50 for 40 lb, $7.00 to $10.00 for 60 lb, and $9.00 to $12.00 for 80 lb washers. Visit your competitors to see what they charge, then price competitively based on your store’s condition and equipment quality.
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