Dropshipping Research Tool

Product Score Calculator

Evaluate any product for dropshipping viability across 7 key dimensions. Built for dropshippers sourcing from China suppliers and selling to European & US markets via Amazon research.

Market Demand
0–20 pts
Profit Margin
0–20 pts
$
$
$
Estimated margin: —
Ad Creative Potential
0–15 pts
Sourcing & Supply Chain
0–15 pts
Logistics Score
0–10 pts
Compliance & Return Risk
0–10 pts
Market Saturation & Differentiation
0–10 pts
Clear Niche
Some Competition
Red Ocean
Results
—
Awaiting Input
Fill in details and click Calculate

Fill in your product details and click Calculate Score to see the viability result.

This calculator does not store or collect any of your input data.

How the Scoring System Works

This calculator evaluates dropshipping products across 7 weighted dimensions. Below is a full breakdown of the scoring logic, result thresholds, a worked example, and answers to common questions.

The 7 Scoring Dimensions (Total: 100 pts)

Market Demand
0–20 pts

Validates real-world demand using Amazon data — the most reliable public signal for product-market fit before you source anything.

  • +10 Reviews > 3,000
  • +8 Reviews 1,001–3,000
  • +5 Reviews 301–1,000
  • +2 Reviews ≤ 300
  • +10 BSR Top 20%
  • +8 BSR Top 21–50%
  • +5 BSR Top 51–100%
  • +2 BSR outside top 100%
Profit Margin
0–20 pts

Calculated as (Selling Price − Product Cost − Shipping) ÷ Selling Price. In EU/US dropshipping, ad costs typically consume 20–30% of revenue, making 40%+ margin the minimum viable threshold.

  • 20 Margin ≥ 60%
  • 16 Margin 50–59%
  • 12 Margin 40–49%
  • 8 Margin 30–39%
  • 4 Margin < 30%
Ad Creative Potential
0–15 pts

Products that can be demonstrated visually in under 15 seconds consistently outperform on Meta/TikTok ads. Each of the three traits adds 5 points and can be selected independently.

  • +5 Clear Problem → Solution demo
  • +5 Strong visual / Before-After effect
  • +5 Emotional hook — pet, baby, gift, lifestyle
Sourcing & Supply Chain
0–15 pts

Measures how mature and flexible the supply chain is on 1688 and AliExpress. More suppliers mean better pricing leverage and backup options if one goes out of stock.

  • +7 10+ suppliers on 1688/AliExpress
  • +5 5–9 suppliers
  • +2 Fewer than 5 suppliers
  • +4 White label / custom packaging available
  • +4 Low MOQ — single-unit or small batch shipping
Logistics Score
0–10 pts

Light and compact products ship via ePacket or air freight at dramatically lower cost, protecting your margin and keeping EU/US delivery times competitive.

  • +5 Weight < 0.5 kg
  • +3 Weight 0.5–1 kg
  • +0 Weight ≥ 1 kg
  • +5 Longest side < 30 cm
  • +3 Longest side 30–49 cm
  • +0 Longest side ≥ 50 cm
Compliance & Return Risk
0–10 pts

Starts at 10. Deductions apply for attributes that trigger import restrictions, certification requirements, or high return rates in Western markets. Multiple flags stack — minimum score is 0.

  • 10 Base score (no risk factors)
  • −3 Contains lithium battery (UN38.3/MSDS required)
  • −2 Wireless / Bluetooth module (FCC/CE required)
  • −2 Apparel or footwear (high sizing return rate)
  • −2 Fragile materials — glass, ceramics (breakage risk)
  • −3 Food, cosmetics, or health supplements (FDA/regulatory)
Market Saturation & Differentiation
0–10 pts

Assesses the competitive landscape in the EU/US market. Even popular niches can score well here if you have a clear angle — unique bundle, audience segment, or positioning.

  • 10 Clear Niche — low competition, defined audience
  • 6 Some Competition — room to differentiate
  • 2 Red Ocean — saturated, generic, price-driven

What Your Score Means

80–100
Strong Product
Strong demand, solid margin, and low risk across the board. Worth allocating a real test budget — move quickly before the window closes.
65–79
Good Product
Solid fundamentals with one or two weak spots. Run a small-budget test to validate conversion rates before scaling ad spend.
50–64
Risky Product
At least one dimension is significantly weak. Identify the lowest-scoring area and address it — better sourcing, higher price point, or a different angle — before spending on ads.
0–49
Not Recommended
Multiple red flags across dimensions. The time and capital would be better spent finding a different product. Use the breakdown to understand exactly why.

Example Calculation — Pet Hair Remover Glove

Pet Hair Remover Glove
Sample Calculation

Inputs

Amazon Reviews2,800
Best Seller RankTop 18%
Selling Price$29.00
Product Cost$5.00
Shipping Cost$8.00
Ad CreativeAll 3 selected
China Suppliers7
White Label / Low MOQBoth selected
Weight / Size0.2 kg / 24 cm
Risk FlagsNone
Market PositionSome Competition
88
Strong Product
Margin 55% · All ad signals present
Excellent logistics · Zero compliance risk

Score breakdown for the example above

Dimension Max Score Reason
Market Demand 20 18 Reviews 1,001–3,000 (+8) · BSR Top 20% (+10)
Profit Margin 20 20 Margin 55% ≥ 50% → 16 pts
Ad Creative Potential 15 15 All 3 traits selected (+5 each)
Sourcing & Supply Chain 15 15 7 suppliers (+5) · white label (+4) · low MOQ (+4)
Logistics Score 10 10 0.2 kg (+5) · 24 cm (+5)
Compliance & Return Risk 10 10 No risk flags — base score retained
Market Differentiation 10 6 "Some Competition" — pet niche has many sellers but still differentiated
Total 100 88 Strong Product — Worth Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Best Seller Rank percentage on Amazon?
Open any Amazon product page and scroll to "Product information" or "Additional information". You'll see a line like "#1,243 in Kitchen & Dining". Divide that number by the total listings in that category to get a rough percentile. Alternatively, tools like Jungle Scout and Helium 10 display BSR percentile directly.
Where do I find the China supplier count?
Search your product keyword on 1688.com (Chinese-language B2B platform) or AliExpress and count how many distinct factories or suppliers list the same or very similar product. More suppliers means more pricing leverage and lower risk of a single stockout disrupting your store.
What does "Ad Creative Potential" actually mean in practice?
It reflects how easily you can produce a compelling short video ad (15–30 seconds) for Meta or TikTok. Problem → Solution means the product visibly solves a recognizable frustration. Before-After means there's a visible transformation. Emotional Hook means the product resonates with a strong identity or emotion — pet owners, parents, fitness, gifting. Products with all three are dramatically easier to advertise profitably.
Can compliance risk scores go below zero?
No — the compliance score floors at 0. If a product has a battery, wireless module, and is also a regulated consumable, the deductions would total −8, but the displayed score would be 0/10 rather than a negative number. The score still correctly reflects that this category carries significant risk.
Should I only test products that score 80+?
Not necessarily. A score in the 65–79 range can be a winner if the weakness is fixable — for example, a slim margin that can be improved by negotiating with suppliers, or moderate competition that can be addressed with better creative or a tighter audience. Use the breakdown to identify where the points were lost, and decide if that gap is bridgeable before spending.
How is this different from the Toy Product Score Calculator?
The toy calculator was optimized for children's toy dropshipping and scored visual novelty features like lights, sound, and kid reaction. This general calculator replaces those with Ad Creative Potential (applicable to all niches), expands Compliance & Return Risk to cover apparel, fragile goods, and regulated consumables, and replaces IP Risk with Market Saturation & Differentiation — a more universal competitive signal.
Does this tool store any of my data?
No. All calculations happen entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server or stored anywhere. You can use this tool privately when researching product ideas without any data being collected.
Disclaimer: This tool provides an indicative viability score based on the inputs you enter. It does not guarantee sales performance, advertising results, or profitability. Always validate with test orders and small ad budgets before scaling. For legal, customs, or regulatory questions, consult a qualified professional.