CTR Curve Calculator — Organic CTR by Google Position
CTR Curve Calculator
The organic CTR curve describes what share of searchers click each Google position. Position 1 takes roughly 31.7% of clicks, position 2 about 24.7%, position 3 about 18.7%, and by position 10 it is around 2.3%. Page two collapses below 2%. The curve is non-linear, which is why moving from position 11 to position 4 typically multiplies traffic several times over while moving from 40 to 30 changes almost nothing. Branded queries run far above the curve; SERPs with an AI Overview, featured snippet or local pack run well below it.
See the average organic CTR for every Google position 1-20 and calculate how many extra clicks a ranking improvement is actually worth. Free, no signup.
Enter impressions, not guesses
Use the impressions figure from Search Console for the query or page, or monthly search volume if you are planning a page that does not exist yet.
Set the positions you are comparing
Current position and target position. The calculator returns expected clicks at both and the difference between them.
Adjust for SERP features
An AI Overview removes roughly 45% of organic clicks across the page. Toggle it on when the SERP has one, or your forecast will be optimistic.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CTR curve in SEO?
A CTR curve maps Google ranking position to the average share of clicks that position receives. It is used to forecast traffic from a ranking change and to prioritise which keywords are worth improving.
What is the average CTR for position 1 on Google?
Around 31.7% of clicks for a standard organic result. It rises well above that for branded queries and falls sharply when the SERP carries an AI Overview, a featured snippet, shopping results or a local pack.
Why is my actual CTR lower than the curve?
The curve is an average across every query type. SERP features push organic CTR down, informational queries often get answered on the results page, and an unpersuasive title and meta description cost clicks at any position. Compare your own CTR against the curve to find pages whose snippets are underperforming their rank.
How much traffic will I gain moving from page two to page one?
Typically five to ten times more clicks, because page-two positions receive under 2% CTR while positions 4-10 range from roughly 2.3% to 13%. That boundary is where ranking work pays back fastest, which is why striking-distance keywords are usually the best place to start.