A mixed cost has characteristics of both variable and fixed costs.

Mixed Cost

An expense that contains both fixed and variable components, changing with the level of output but also incurred when there is no output.

Variable Costs

Costs that change in proportion to the level of production or sales activity, such as materials and labor directly involved in a company's product.

Fixed Costs

Expenditures that do not vary with the level of activity or production within a short time frame.