← Back to Glossary
Revenue
Definition
Revenue is the total amount of money a business receives from its normal business activities, typically from sales of goods and services before any costs are deducted.
Explanation
Revenue is the top line on an income statement. It can come from product sales, service fees, subscriptions, advertising, or other income streams. Revenue growth is a key indicator of business expansion and market demand.
Recurring revenue (subscriptions, retainers) is more valuable than one-time sales because it's predictable. Revenue differs from profit: high revenue doesn't guarantee profitability.
Example
A SaaS company earning $50/month from 1,000 customers has $50,000 in monthly recurring revenue ($600,000 annual recurring revenue).