Gross Rating Points (GRP)
Total advertising weight of a campaign against the whole audience.
Formula
Variables
Example
Reach 40% × frequency 3 = 120 GRPs
How it works
Gross Rating Points (GRP) measures the total amount of advertising pressure a campaign delivers to a target audience. It is calculated by multiplying the percentage of the audience reached by the average number of times those people see the ad, so a larger reach or more repeated exposures both increase the score. Because reach is expressed as a percentage, GRP is a convenient way to compare campaigns on the same scale, even if the same people are exposed multiple times.
When to use it
Use GRP when planning or evaluating advertising campaigns on TV, radio, digital video, or other mass media where both audience size and repetition matter. It is especially useful for comparing how heavily different schedules hit the same target market.
Worked example, step by step
A campaign reaches 55% of the target audience. The average frequency is 2.5 exposures per person. GRP = Reach (%) × Frequency GRP = 55 × 2.5 GRP = 137.5 So the campaign delivers 137.5 GRPs.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using reach as a decimal without adjusting the formula, which changes the result by a factor of 100
- Confusing GRP with unique audience size; GRP counts repeated exposures, not just people reached
- Assuming a higher GRP always means a better campaign, even though timing, targeting, and ad quality also matter
Did You Know?
GRPs can exceed 100 because they count total exposures, not unique people.
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More in Media & Data
View allTarget Rating Points (TRP)
IntermediateAdvertising weight counted only within the specific target audience.
Television Rating (TVR)
BasicShare of all potential viewers watching a particular programme.
Cost Per Mille (CPM)
BasicThe cost of reaching one thousand impressions.
Cost Per Rating Point (CPP)
IntermediateHow much it costs to buy one rating point of audience.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
BasicPercentage of ad views that result in a click.
Cost Per Click (CPC)
BasicAverage amount paid for each click on an ad.