Net Revenue Retention (NRR) is a critical KPI that measures a company's ability to retain revenue from existing customers over time. It directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and overall business growth. High NRR indicates strong customer loyalty and effective upselling strategies, while low NRR may signal customer dissatisfaction or increased churn. By tracking this metric, organizations can make data-driven decisions that enhance customer relationships and improve ROI. A robust NRR can also lead to better forecasting accuracy and strategic alignment across departments.
What is Net Revenue Retention (NRR)?
A measure of the revenue retained from existing customers over a given time period, accounting for upgrades, downgrades, and churn.
What is the standard formula?
(Revenue at Start of Period + Upsell Revenue - Churned Revenue) / Revenue at Start of Period * 100
This KPI is associated with the following categories and industries in our KPI database:
High NRR values reflect a company's success in retaining and expanding revenue from its existing customer base. Conversely, low NRR values may indicate customer churn or ineffective account management. Ideal targets typically exceed 100%, signaling that upsells and expansions are outpacing losses from churn.
We have 6 relevant benchmarks in our benchmarks database.
Many organizations overlook the nuances of NRR, leading to misinterpretations that can hinder strategic initiatives.
Enhancing NRR requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes customer engagement and satisfaction.
A mid-sized software company, TechSolutions, faced declining revenue from its existing customer base, with NRR dropping to 95%. This decline threatened its growth trajectory and raised concerns among stakeholders. To address this issue, TechSolutions initiated a comprehensive customer success program aimed at enhancing engagement and satisfaction.
The program included regular customer feedback sessions, where clients could voice concerns and suggest improvements. Additionally, the company implemented a tiered loyalty program that rewarded long-term customers with exclusive features and discounts. These initiatives fostered stronger relationships and encouraged clients to explore additional services.
Within 12 months, TechSolutions saw its NRR rebound to 110%. The feedback sessions revealed key areas for product enhancement, leading to significant improvements in user experience. The loyalty program not only retained existing customers but also attracted new clients who were impressed by the company's commitment to customer satisfaction.
As a result, TechSolutions not only stabilized its revenue but also positioned itself as a leader in customer engagement within its sector. The success of this initiative demonstrated the importance of prioritizing customer relationships and adapting to their evolving needs.
Every successful executive knows you can't improve what you don't measure.
With 20,780 KPIs and 11,792 benchmarks, PPT Depot is the most comprehensive KPI database available. We empower you to measure, manage, and optimize every function, process, and team across your organization.
KPI Depot (formerly the Flevy KPI Library) is a comprehensive, fully searchable database of over 20,000+ Key Performance Indicators. Each KPI is documented with 12 practical attributes that take you from definition to real-world application (definition, business insights, measurement approach, formula, trend analysis, diagnostics, tips, visualization ideas, risk warnings, tools & tech, integration points, and change impact).
KPI categories span every major corporate function and more than 100+ industries, giving executives, analysts, and consultants an instant, plug-and-play reference for building scorecards, dashboards, and data-driven strategies. In August 2025, we have also begun to compile an extensive benchmarks database.
Our team is constantly expanding our KPI database and benchmarks database.
Got a question? Email us at support@kpidepot.com.
What is a good NRR percentage?
A good NRR percentage typically exceeds 100%. This indicates that a company is not only retaining its customers but also expanding revenue through upselling and cross-selling.
How can NRR impact overall business strategy?
NRR provides insights into customer satisfaction and loyalty, which are crucial for strategic planning. High NRR can inform resource allocation towards customer success initiatives and product development.
Is NRR the same as customer retention rate?
No, NRR focuses on revenue retention, while customer retention rate measures the percentage of customers retained over a specific period. NRR accounts for upsells and expansions, making it a more comprehensive metric.
How often should NRR be calculated?
Calculating NRR quarterly is common for most businesses, allowing for timely adjustments to customer engagement strategies. However, fast-growing companies may benefit from monthly assessments to quickly identify trends.
What factors can negatively affect NRR?
Factors such as poor customer service, lack of product updates, and increased competition can negatively impact NRR. Addressing these issues promptly is essential to maintaining healthy revenue retention.
Can NRR be improved quickly?
While some improvements can be made rapidly, such as enhancing customer communication, sustainable NRR growth typically requires long-term strategies. Focus on building strong relationships and delivering consistent value to customers.
Each KPI in our knowledge base includes 12 attributes.
The typical business insights we expect to gain through the tracking of this KPI
An outline of the approach or process followed to measure this KPI
The standard formula organizations use to calculate this KPI
Insights into how the KPI tends to evolve over time and what trends could indicate positive or negative performance shifts
Questions to ask to better understand your current position is for the KPI and how it can improve
Practical, actionable tips for improving the KPI, which might involve operational changes, strategic shifts, or tactical actions
Recommended charts or graphs that best represent the trends and patterns around the KPI for more effective reporting and decision-making
Potential risks or warnings signs that could indicate underlying issues that require immediate attention
Suggested tools, technologies, and software that can help in tracking and analyzing the KPI more effectively
How the KPI can be integrated with other business systems and processes for holistic strategic performance management
Explanation of how changes in the KPI can impact other KPIs and what kind of changes can be expected