Practical Examples of SaaS Average Contract Length
- Example 1: A company with 150 contracts totaling 360 months has an Average Contract Length of 2.4 months (360 months / 150 contracts). This calculation gives a quick overview of the duration of contracts. Shorter ACLs might indicate a need for longer term agreements.
- Example 2: In a recent deal, a SaaS company signed up 5 new accounts: 2 yearly, 1 biennial, and 2 quarterly. Converting these to months (24, 24, 12, 6, 6) and calculating the average results in an ACL of 14.4 months. This metric helps the company determine stability and client retention trends.
- Example 3: If a SaaS company has 50 contracts with some on different timelines (20 annual, 10 quarterly, 20 monthly), their total contract lengths sum up to 270 months. The Average Contract Length is then calculated as 5.4 months (270 / 50). This figure helps predict future revenue and understand client commitment levels.
Periodo |
Total Contract Value (TCV) |
Number of Contracts |
Average Contract Length (ACL) |
ACL Change |
ACL Change (%) |
Q1 2023 |
$500,000 |
50 |
10 months |
– |
– |
Q2 2023 |
$600,000 |
55 |
10.9 months |
+0.9 months |
+9.0% |
Q3 2023 |
$750,000 |
65 |
11.5 months |
+0.6 months |
+5.5% |
This table shows a sample of a SaaS company’s Average Contract Length (ACL) over three quarters. The data includes the total contract value, the number of contracts, the calculated ACL, the period-over-period change in ACL, and the percentage change. The trend shows a positive increase in ACL, indicating that the company is succeeding in longer-term contracts.