Semi-variable cost

A semi-variable cost has a fixed element and a variable element.

An example of this would be a telephone bill with a fixed line rental plus a rate per unit used.

If the total semi-variable cost were plotted on the y-axis of a graph, with the x-axis being the level of activity, the shape of the cost curve would be an upward-sloping ramp.

See also

• Fixed cost
• Semi-fixed cost
• Variable cost