Contribution Margin Law and Legal Definition
Contribution can have different meanings in different context. When contribution is applied to a product or product line, it means the difference between total sales revenue and total variable costs. On the other hand, on a per-unit basis, it is the difference between unit selling and the unit variable cost and may be expressed in percentage terms (contribution margin) or dollar terms (contribution per unit). Contribution is also frequently expressed as contribution margin for a whole company or across a group or product line, in which case it can be taken as gross margin less sales and marketing expenses.
