Cookie Policy
Last updated: April 2026
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device and remember information about your visit — such as your language preference or whether you are logged in.
Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to provide functionality, and to give site owners information about how their site is used. They cannot harm your device or run programs.
2. How We Use Cookies
SterlingCalc uses the following cookies. Analytics and marketing cookies are only placed after you provide consent via our cookie banner, in compliance with the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
Cookies used on SterlingCalc
| Cookie name | Purpose | Type |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated number as a client identifier | Analytics |
| _ga_* | Maintains session state for Google Analytics 4 | Analytics |
| _gid | Distinguishes users — stores and updates a unique value for each page visited | Analytics |
| _gac_* | Stores campaign-related information; used to track ad conversions | Marketing |
| IDE | Used by Google to register and report on actions after seeing an ad | Marketing |
| NID | Stores a unique ID to remember your preferences and personalise ads on Google sites | Marketing |
| theme | Remembers your dark or light mode preference across visits | Necessary |
| cookie-consent | Stores your cookie consent preferences (necessary, analytics, marketing) | Necessary |
3. Cookie Categories
Strictly Necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for SterlingCalc to function. They store your dark/light mode preference and your cookie consent choices. They do not require consent under UK PECR.
Analytics cookies
Google Analytics 4 cookies help us understand how visitors interact with SterlingCalc — which calculators are most used, how long people spend on pages, and where they come from. This data is anonymised and aggregated. These cookies require your consent under UK PECR and are only placed if you choose to accept them.
Marketing cookies
Google AdSense and Google Ads cookies are used to serve advertisements on SterlingCalc. These cookies track your browsing activity to show you relevant ads. They require your consent under UK PECR and are only placed if you accept marketing cookies via our cookie banner.
4. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You can manage or withdraw your consent for analytics and marketing cookies at any time using the Cookie Settings link in the footer of this website.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Instructions for the most common browsers:
- Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox:Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Apple Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Cookies and site data
Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of SterlingCalc and other websites you visit.
Google Analytics opt-out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Google ad personalisation: Manage your preferences at adssettings.google.com.
5. ICO Compliance Statement
SterlingCalc is committed to complying with the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
In accordance with these regulations:
- Analytics and marketing cookies are only placed after you provide informed consent via our cookie banner.
- Our cookie banner presents a genuine choice — you can accept all, decline non-essential cookies, or manage your preferences individually.
- You can withdraw consent at any time via the Cookie Settings link in our footer.
- We do not use dark patterns or pre-ticked consent boxes.
6. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy as our use of cookies changes or as regulations evolve. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised accordingly.
7. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us at contact@sterlingcalc.co.uk.