How to calculate eBay fees
An eBay fee calculator tells you exactly what you'll keep after eBay takes its cut. Enter your sale price, shipping charge, and category — the calculator returns your fees, net revenue, and profit margin.
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
This matters because eBay's fee structure combines percentage-based fees, flat fees, and conditional charges that vary by category, store status, and seller performance. Guessing your margins leads to underpricing.
Try our free eBay Fee Calculator — it includes 2026 rates for all categories and store tiers.
What the eBay fee calculator needs from you
| Input | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Item sale price | Your listing price | Base for percentage fee calculation |
| Shipping charge | What buyer pays for shipping | eBay charges fees on shipping too |
| Category | Product category on eBay | Final value fee varies 3-15.3% by category |
| Store subscription | None, Starter, Basic, or higher | Basic+ gets 0.9% lower fees |
| Product cost | What you paid for the item | Needed for profit calculation |
| Actual shipping cost | Your real shipping expense | Differs from what buyer pays |
How eBay fees are calculated
Every eBay sale has three fee components:
1. Final value fee (12.7-15.3%)
eBay's commission on every sale. Calculated on the total amount — item price plus shipping plus handling.
Most categories: 13.6% (no store) or 12.7% (Basic store+)
Higher fee categories:
- Books, DVDs, Music: 15.3% / 14.6% with store
- Jewelry & Watches: 15.0% / 14.55% with store
- Women's Handbags: 15.0% / 14.55% with store
Lower fee categories:
- Guitars & Basses: 6.7% / 3.5% with store
- Heavy Equipment: 3.0% / 2.5% with store
- Athletic Shoes ($150+): 8.0%
Full category breakdown: eBay Fees Explained
2. Per-order fee ($0.30-$0.40)
A flat fee on every transaction:
- $0.30 for orders $10 or less
- $0.40 for orders over $10
One fee per order, regardless of item count.
3. Conditional fees
These apply in specific situations:
| Fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| International | +1.65% | Buyer outside US |
| Insertion fee | $0.05-$0.35 | Over free listing allowance |
| Promoted Listings | 2-10% | If you run ads |
| Below Standard | +6% | Poor seller metrics |
| High INAD | +5% | High "not as described" rate |
| Top Rated Plus | -10% off FVF | Excellent metrics + fast shipping + free returns |
Step-by-step: Calculate eBay fees on a real listing
Example: $45 Home & Garden item, $8 shipping, no store
Item price: $45.00
Shipping charge: +$8.00
Total (fee basis): $53.00
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Final value fee (13.6%): -$7.21
Per-order fee: -$0.40
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Total eBay fees: $7.61
Net from eBay: $45.39
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Your shipping cost (actual): -$6.50
Product cost: -$15.00
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Profit: $23.89
Profit margin: 45.1%
Same item with Basic Store subscription
Total (fee basis): $53.00
Final value fee (12.7%): -$6.73
Per-order fee: -$0.40
Total eBay fees: $7.13
Store cost (prorated/sale): ~-$0.15
Net savings vs. no store: $0.33/sale
At 67+ sales per month, the Basic Store's fee savings alone cover the $21.95 subscription.
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
The eBay shipping fee trap
The most common mistake with eBay fee calculations: eBay charges fees on your shipping charge, not just the item price.
A $50 item with $10 shipping means eBay calculates fees on $60:
- $60 x 13.6% = $8.16 + $0.40 = $8.56 in fees
The same item with "free shipping" at $60:
- $60 x 13.6% = $8.16 + $0.40 = $8.56 in fees
The total fees are identical whether you charge shipping separately or build it into the price. But buyers prefer free shipping — and eBay's search algorithm rewards it with better search placement.
Store vs. no store: When the math works
| Monthly sales | No store fees | Basic store fees | Monthly savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $136.00 | $127.00 + $21.95 | -$12.95 (store loses) |
| $2,500 | $340.00 | $317.50 + $21.95 | +$0.55 (break-even) |
| $5,000 | $680.00 | $635.00 + $21.95 | +$23.05 |
| $10,000 | $1,360.00 | $1,270.00 + $21.95 | +$68.05 |
Based on 13.6% (no store) vs 12.7% (Basic) in standard categories. Excludes per-order fees (same for both).
The break-even point for a Basic Store is ~$2,500/month in sales. Above that, the 0.9% fee discount more than covers the subscription. See our eBay Store Subscription guide for the full tier comparison.
eBay fees vs. other marketplaces
How eBay compares for a $50 item:
| Platform | Approximate fees | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | $7.20 | 14.4% |
| Etsy | $5.96 | 10.3% |
| Amazon (FBA) | $12.87 | 25.7% |
| Facebook Marketplace | $0 (local) / $3.85 (shipped) | 0-7.7% |
eBay sits in the middle — cheaper than Amazon FBA but more expensive than Etsy for most items. The tradeoff is eBay's broader category coverage and auction format. Compare your specific product across platforms using our Platform Comparison Calculator.
Common eBay fee calculator mistakes
1. Forgetting the shipping charge
eBay fees apply to item price + shipping. If you only calculate fees on the item price, your margin estimate is too high.
2. Using the wrong category rate
Not all categories charge 13.6%. Books and media charge 15.3%. Jewelry charges 15%. Electronics accessories vary. Check your specific category.
3. Ignoring insertion fees
If you list more than 250 items per month (or your store allowance), each extra listing costs $0.05-$0.35. For high-volume sellers, insertion fees add up.
4. Skipping promoted listings costs
If you run ads (and most competitive categories require them), add 2-10% to your fee calculation. A 5% ad rate on a $50 sale is an extra $2.50. See our Promoted Listings guide for optimization tips.
5. Not factoring in returns
eBay refunds your final value fee (minus a small admin fee) on returns, but you lose shipping costs both ways and may have a damaged item. Budget 3-8% of sales for returns depending on category.
FAQ
How do I calculate eBay fees?
Add the final value fee (12.7-15.3% of total sale including shipping) plus the per-order fee ($0.30-$0.40). For international sales, add 1.65%. Use our eBay Fee Calculator for instant calculations with 2026 rates across all categories.
Is there a free eBay fee calculator?
Yes. Our eBay Fee Calculator is free and includes 2026 fee rates for all categories, store tiers, and optional fees. Enter your sale price, shipping, and category to see your exact fees and profit margin.
What is the eBay profit calculator?
An eBay profit calculator goes beyond fees to show your actual profit. It subtracts eBay fees, product cost, and shipping expenses from your sale price to show what you actually keep. Our eBay Fee Calculator includes profit calculation alongside fee breakdowns.
How much does eBay cost to sell?
eBay costs 14-16% of each domestic sale for most sellers. This includes the final value fee (12.7-15.3% by category) and per-order fee ($0.30-$0.40). You get 250 free listings per month. Store subscriptions ($4.95-$299.95/month) reduce fees by 0.9% and provide more free listings.
How do I calculate eBay fees on shipping?
eBay calculates the final value fee on the total transaction amount, which includes shipping charges. If your item sells for $40 with $8 shipping, eBay applies the fee rate to $48. Whether you charge shipping separately or offer "free shipping" at a higher item price, the total fees are the same.
Does eBay charge a fee to list items?
eBay gives 250 free listings per month. Beyond that, insertion fees range from $0.05 to $0.35 per listing depending on your store tier. Certain categories (vehicles, real estate, heavy equipment) always charge insertion fees regardless of your allowance.
Next steps
- Calculate your fees — eBay Fee Calculator
- Understand all eBay fees — eBay Fees Explained
- Compare store tiers — eBay Store Subscription Guide
- Understand the final value fee — eBay Final Value Fee Guide
- Compare platforms — Platform Comparison Calculator
- Sell internationally — eBay International Shipping Guide
- Optimize your listings — AI Listing Generator for eBay titles and descriptions
Calculate your eBay fees
See final value fees, per-order fees, and your actual take-home.
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