Definition
NDR is another name for NRR in dollar terms. It measures how existing revenue changes including expansion.
Formula
NDR = (starting revenue + expansion - contraction - churn) / starting revenue
Example
If starting revenue is $100k, expansion is $20k, contraction is $5k, and churn is $10k, NDR = ($100k+$20k-$5k-$10k)/$100k = 105%.
How to use it
- Track NDR by cohort and segment to see where expansion is durable.
- Pair NDR with GRR to understand how much expansion masks churn.
- Use NDR trend to forecast net retention contribution to growth.
Common mistakes
- Reporting NDR without separating expansion from price increases.
- Using blended NDR and missing weak cohorts or segments.
Measured as
NDR = (starting revenue + expansion - contraction - churn) / starting revenue
Misused when
- Reporting NDR without separating expansion from price increases.
- Using blended NDR and missing weak cohorts or segments.
Operator takeaway
- Track NDR by cohort and segment to see where expansion is durable.
- Pair NDR with GRR to understand how much expansion masks churn.
- Use NDR trend to forecast net retention contribution to growth.
- Keep NDR (Net Dollar Retention) consistent by cohort, segment, and period before you use it as a decision signal in planning or reporting.
- Interpret the metric alongside retention, margin, or payback so one ratio does not hide the real operating trade-off.
Next decision
- Quantify the impact with NRR Calculator if you need to turn the definition into an operating assumption.
- Read NRR (Net Revenue Retention): definition, formula, how to calculate if the decision depends on interpretation, policy, or trade-offs beyond the raw formula.
Where to use this on MetricKit
Calculators
- NRR Calculator: Calculate Net Revenue Retention (NRR) from starting MRR and revenue movements.
- NRR vs GRR Calculator: Calculate NRR and GRR together from the same starting MRR and expansion/contraction/churn inputs.
Guides
- NRR (Net Revenue Retention): definition, formula, how to calculate: NRR explained: what net revenue retention measures, the NRR formula, how to calculate it by cohort, and common mistakes.
- NRR vs GRR: differences, formulas, and how to use both: NRR includes expansion; GRR excludes it. Learn when each metric matters, how to compute both from the same cohort, and how to interpret the gap.
- Retention & churn hub: cohorts, GRR/NRR, and retention curves: A practical hub for retention measurement: churn rate, GRR/NRR, cohort retention curves, and how to set retention targets without getting misled by noise.