What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device to remember information about your visit. Similar technologies include browser localStorage and pixels. Calculator Matters uses browser storage for preferences and local scenarios, and may use consent-controlled analytics where configured. Display advertising is currently disabled.
Categories of cookies we use
| Category | Purpose | Type | Typical duration | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Core functionality and security during your visit. Always active. | Cookie | Session | Calculator Matters |
| Preferences | Remembering your theme (light/dark/auto) and sidebar state, and your cookie-consent choice (the cm-consent key, so we never re-ask). Some calculators (such as the mortgage, break-even, and ecommerce profit calculators) also remember your last inputs so you can pick up where you left off. All of this stays on your device and is never sent to our servers; calculator inputs are cleared by that calculator's Reset button or by clearing browser storage. The optional "Share link" buttons encode your inputs into the link's web address itself, so anyone opening the link sends those values as part of the page request, like any web address. | localStorage | Until you clear it | Calculator Matters |
| Analytics (optional) | Understanding site usage, improving calculators, and measuring performance. We use Google Analytics 4 only after you accept. Events contain generic page and interaction labels only — never calculator inputs, result values, personal details, financial values, or search terms. Typical cookies: _ga and _ga_<id>. | Cookie | Provider-set (often up to ~2 years) | Google Analytics 4 (if enabled, after consent) |
| Advertising | Currently disabled; no AdSense script or advertising cookie is loaded. Will only be enabled after site approval and consent controls are configured. | Not active | None | None while disabled |
Calculator inputs stay on your device
The numbers you type into a calculator are processed in your browser and are not stored in a cookie or sent to our servers. Cookies are never used to capture your specific calculator inputs.
Advertising and Google AdSense
Display advertising, Auto Ads, in-article ads, sidebar ads, and mobile-anchor ads are currently disabled. No Google AdSense script or advertising cookie is loaded. If advertising is enabled in future, this policy, the consent controls, and the Advertising Disclosure must be updated before activation. Google's general policies are available in its advertising technologies and privacy policy pages.
Third-party cookies
Besides advertising, some pages may load content from third parties (for example, fonts or analytics scripts). Those providers may set their own cookies under their own policies, which we do not control. Some pages may also include affiliate links in the future; if used, the affiliate network may set its own tracking cookie to record the referral, the same as any other third-party link. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
How to manage or opt out
- When analytics is enabled, withdraw or change your consent any time via the Cookie settings link in the site footer — it reopens the consent banner so you can switch your choice. Withdrawing is as easy as a single click, just like accepting.
- Adjust or delete cookies any time in your browser settings, or browse in a private/incognito window.
- Opt out of personalised Google ads at Google Ads Settings.
- Opt out across many vendors at aboutads.info and Your Online Choices (EU).
Blocking cookies or clearing localStorage may reset preferences such as your theme, but the calculators will still work.
Consent and Global Privacy Control
Strictly-necessary cookies are used to operate the site. Non-essential cookies — optional analytics — rely on your consent where the law requires it. Advertising is currently disabled. You can withdraw consent or opt out at any time using the controls above. Where your browser or an extension sends an opt-out preference signal such as Global Privacy Control (GPC), we treat it, where applicable, as a request to opt out of the sharing of personal information for targeted advertising — you do not need to make a separate request.
Your privacy rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights over how your data is used — see Your Privacy Rights (GDPR & CCPA) and our Privacy Policy.
Changes and contact
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time; the review date above shows the latest revision. Questions can be sent to our contact address or via our contact page.
Cookie FAQ
Do you use cookies to capture the numbers I enter?
No. Calculator inputs are processed in your browser and are never stored in a cookie or sent to our servers. Where a calculator remembers your last inputs, it uses your browser’s localStorage on your own device, and the Reset button or clearing browser storage removes it.
Will the calculators still work if I block cookies?
Yes. The calculators run entirely in your browser and work with cookies blocked. Blocking cookies or clearing localStorage may reset preferences such as your theme, but no calculation depends on cookies.
How do I turn off personalised ads?
Calculator Matters is not currently loading AdSense or serving personalised ads. If advertising is enabled in future, consent and opt-out controls will be documented here before activation.
What is the difference between a cookie and localStorage?
A cookie is a small file sent with each request to a site; localStorage is data kept only in your browser and not sent automatically. We use localStorage for preferences and optional saved inputs, which never leave your device.
Do you need my consent for cookies?
Strictly-necessary cookies are used to run the site. Non-essential cookies — analytics and personalised advertising — rely on consent where the law requires it, and you can withdraw consent or opt out at any time using the controls on this page.