# Average order value (AOV): Formula and dbt YAML | Silicon

URL: https://meetsilicon.com/metrics/average-order-value/

> Average order value is the average amount spent per order over a period.

## Formula
AOV = net revenue / number of orders
## Why it matters
AOV shows whether growth comes from more orders or bigger ones, and is a direct lever for pricing and bundling decisions.
## Common pitfalls
- Exclude cancelled orders from both the numerator and the denominator.
## Define it in dbt for Silicon
Add this to your model's YAML. Aggregate metrics sit under a column's meta.metrics; ratios are type: number metrics that reference other metrics. Rename models and columns to match your project.
schema.yml Copy
models:
- name: fct_orders
meta:
metrics:
average_order_value:
type: number
sql: ${net_revenue} / NULLIF(${orders}, 0)
description: Average net revenue per order
columns:
- name: net_amount
meta:
metrics:
net_revenue:
type: sum
filters:
- is_cancelled: false
description: Net revenue from completed orders
- name: order_id
meta:
metrics:
orders:
type: count_distinct
filters:
- is_cancelled: false
description: Completed orders
Once it's defined, anyone can ask about average order value in plain English and get an answer built on this definition. See the metrics reference for every option.
## Related
- Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) ->
- Annual recurring revenue (ARR) ->
- Net revenue ->
- Gross margin ->
- Semantic layer ->
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