Revenue & Retainers

Net Revenue Retention (NRR)

Agency glossary · Updated July 2026

Definition

Net revenue retention (NRR) measures how much recurring revenue an agency keeps and grows from its existing clients over a period, after upsells, downgrades, and losses, and without counting any new clients. Above 100% means the existing base grows on its own.

Formula(Starting recurring revenue + expansion - downgrades - churn) / starting recurring revenue x 100

Why it matters

NRR above 100% means revenue compounds before you win a single new client, because expanding an existing client is far cheaper than acquiring a new one. It is the clearest sign that growth is efficient and durable.

Common mistake: tracking how many clients you kept (logo retention) instead of how much revenue the existing base retained and grew, which hides silent scope-shrink when a client renews on a smaller retainer.

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