How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud?

How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud

You’ve been uploading tracks. Promoting your music. Watching the plays roll in. And now you’re wondering: “How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud?”

Fair question. After all, what’s the point of building an audience if you can’t earn from it?

Let’s break it down. Simple. Straight. No fluff.

Does SoundCloud Pay Per View?

Short answer: Yes, but not directly.

Here’s the deal:
SoundCloud doesn’t just hand out money for plays like YouTube. Instead, it has a monetization program called SoundCloud Premier. That’s where the earnings come from.

But not everyone qualifies.
To make money, you need:

  • An account in the Premier Program (more on this soon)

  • Original content

  • A decent number of plays from monetized countries (like the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, and more)

If that sounds like a lot—don’t worry. We’ll make it simple.

So, How Much Do You Make Per 1000 Views on SoundCloud?

How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud

This is the big question. The golden number.

Here’s the average range:
$2.00 to $4.00 per 1000 plays

Yep, that’s it. It might feel low. But keep reading—there’s more to the story.

Let’s compare it with some other platforms:

Platform Avg. Revenue per 1000 Plays
YouTube $1 to $3
Spotify $3 to $5
Apple Music $7 to $10
SoundCloud $2 to $4

SoundCloud sits somewhere in the middle. Better than YouTube. But not quite Apple-level.

What Affects Your Earnings?

Why the wide range? Because not all plays are equal.

Your earnings depend on:

  • Listener location
    A play from the U.S. pays more than one from, say, India.

  • Ad engagement
    If a listener skips ads or uses an ad blocker, you might earn less.

  • Subscription vs. Ad-Supported
    SoundCloud has a paid tier (SoundCloud Go+). If a subscriber listens to your track, you earn more.

  • Track popularity
    High engagement (likes, reposts, comments) can push your track to more people.

Think of it like this:
One loyal fan in New York might be worth five passive listeners in non-monetized regions.

How Do You Qualify for Monetization?

How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud

To start earning on SoundCloud, you need to join SoundCloud Premier.

But you can’t just sign up out of the blue.

Here’s what you need:

  • Be 18 or older

  • Have at least 500 eligible streams in the past month (from monetized countries)

  • Upload original content

  • No copyright strikes

  • Use SoundCloud Pro Unlimited (yep, that’s a paid plan)

Once accepted, you’ll see a “Monetize” button next to your tracks. That’s when the real magic starts.

Example: Real-Life Breakdown

Let’s say you’re an independent artist. You’ve uploaded a new song. It’s catchy. It’s fire.

You get 50,000 plays in a month.

Out of those:

  • 35,000 are from the U.S.

  • 10,000 from the UK

  • 5,000 from India (non-monetized)

If your average RPM (revenue per thousand plays) is $3.50, and only 45,000 plays are monetized:

Earnings = 45 x $3.50 = $157.50

Not bad for one song in one month.

Multiply that by multiple tracks, plus reposts, playlists, and organic growth…
You start to see potential.

How Does SoundCloud Pay You?

How Much Do You Make Per Thousand Views on SoundCloud

Once you’ve monetized your track, SoundCloud handles the rest.

Here’s how the payment system works:

  • Revenue is calculated monthly

  • You get paid through PayPal

  • Payments are issued once you hit $5 or more

  • Payouts typically arrive within 45 days after the month ends

Simple, right?

But keep in mind:
If you’re expecting instant riches, this isn’t the platform. SoundCloud is a slow burn.

Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

Want to squeeze every dollar from your SoundCloud plays?

Use these tactics:

1. Target Monetized Countries

The U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Australia are gold.
Promote your tracks in these regions. Join groups. Collaborate with local artists. Use geo-targeted ads.

2. Create High-Engagement Content

Music is one thing. Presentation is another.
Your artwork. Your captions. Your comments. All of it adds up.

When your track gets shared, reposted, or commented on, SoundCloud’s algorithm pushes it forward.

More reach = more plays = more money.

3. Use Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

At the end of your track description, try:

  • “Like what you hear? Follow for more.”

  • “Drop a comment if this hit home.”

  • “Repost to spread the vibes.”

Small nudges can snowball into big exposure.

4. Invest in SoundCloud Pro Unlimited

Yes, it’s paid. But it unlocks:

  • Full monetization

  • Detailed stats

  • Track replacement (without losing play counts)

Think of it like fuel for your music engine.

What About SoundCloud Reposts?

You might’ve heard of Repost by SoundCloud—it’s another way to monetize. Especially if you’re not eligible for Premier yet.

With Repost:

  • You distribute music to Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and more

  • You get 80% of the revenue

  • No minimum followers required

Perfect for beginner artists trying to get a foot in the door.

But note: This doesn’t boost your SoundCloud earnings per 1000 plays. It just spreads your music to other platforms.

Is It Worth It?

Look—SoundCloud won’t make you rich overnight. But it’s real money. And more importantly, it’s yours.

You’re in control.
No label. No gatekeeper. Just you and your fans.

The real win?
Building an audience.

Because anytime someone loves your music, chances are they’ll:

  • Buy your merch

  • Come to your show

  • Share your link

  • Support your next drop

SoundCloud is your stage. Even if the pay isn’t sky-high, the long-term rewards? Big.

Final Thoughts

So… how much do you make per thousand views on SoundCloud?

Now you know:
Between $2 and $4. On average.

But averages don’t define you.
Your sound does. Your grind does. Your strategy does.

Keep uploading. Keep connecting.
And remember—every play is a step closer to turning your passion into a paycheck.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

Here’s the fast recap:

  • Yes, SoundCloud pays for plays (if you’re in Premier).

  • You earn about $2–$4 per 1,000 plays.

  • Plays from monetized countries pay more.

  • You need original content, 500+ plays/month, and a Pro Unlimited plan.

  • Use CTAs, good artwork, and geo-targeting to boost earnings.

  • Repost by SoundCloud lets you earn from other platforms too.

Bottom line:
You can earn on SoundCloud. Not tons per view—but enough to grow. Enough to fund the next track. And if you play it smart, enough to build a music career.

Scroll to Top