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The Global Insight

Are direct materials variable costs?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on February 09, 2026

If the cost object is a product being manufactured, it is likely that direct materials are a variable cost. (If one pound of material is used for each unit, then this direct cost is variable.) On the other hand the salaries of the production department supervisors are a direct production department cost that is fixed.

Are direct materials and direct labor variable costs?

Variable costs include direct labor, direct materials, and variable overhead.

What are 3 variable costs?

Common examples of variable costs include costs of goods sold (COGS), raw materials and inputs to production, packaging, wages and commissions, and certain utilities (for example, electricity or gas that increases with production capacity).

Which is true of conversion cost and false product cost?

Conversion cost is the sum of direct labor cost and direct materials cost. False Direct material costs are generally fixed costs. False Product costs are recorded as expenses in the period in which the related products are sold.

Which is true depreciation or direct material costs?

Direct material costs are generally fixed costs. False Product costs are recorded as expenses in the period in which the related products are sold. True Depreciation on manufacturing equipment is a product cost. True Manufacturing salaries and wages incurred in the factory are period costs.

What are direct costs and what are product costs?

Direct material costs are generally fixed costs. Product costs are recorded as expenses in the period in which the related products are sold. Depreciation on manufacturing equipment is a product cost. Manufacturing salaries and wages incurred in the factory are period costs.

Which is the sum of direct labor and direct materials cost?

Conversion cost is the sum of direct labor cost and direct materials cost. Direct material costs are generally fixed costs. Product costs are recorded as expenses in the period in which the related products are sold. Depreciation on manufacturing equipment is a product cost.