Whatnot Fee Calculator
See exactly what you keep after Whatnot's commission and processing fees — and why $1 starting bids hurt your margins way more than you think.
- Sale price$10.00
- Commission (8.0%)−$0.80
- Processing (2.9%)−$0.29
- Fixed processing fee−$0.30
- You receive$8.61
Why $1 starting bids crush your margins
The fixed processing fee doesn't shrink as your sale price shrinks. A $1 sale and a $100 sale both pay roughly the same fixed fee — but on the $1 sale, that fixed fee alone eats 30% of the entire sale. The percentage-based fees are constant, but the flat fee makes low-dollar auctions catastrophically expensive in relative terms.
| Sale | Fees | Payout | % kept by Whatnot |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.00 | $0.41 | $0.59 | 40.9% |
| $2.00 | $0.52 | $1.48 | 25.9% |
| $3.00 | $0.63 | $2.37 | 20.9% |
| $5.00 | $0.85 | $4.16 | 16.9% |
| $10.00 | $1.39 | $8.61 | 13.9% |
| $25.00 | $3.03 | $21.98 | 12.1% |
| $50.00 | $5.75 | $44.25 | 11.5% |
| $100.00 | $11.20 | $88.80 | 11.2% |
Numbers based on Whatnot's standard public fee structure as of June 2026. Your actual rates may vary by category, seller tier, and active promotions — verify in your Seller Hub. Adjust the fields in the calculator above to model your real rates.
Frequently asked questions
What does Whatnot charge sellers?
Whatnot's standard published rates are 8% commission on the sale price, plus payment processing of roughly 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Some categories and seller tiers receive reduced rates — always confirm in your Seller Hub.
Why do $1 starting bids cost so much in fees?
Because the fixed $0.30 processing fee is the same whether you sell a $1 item or a $100 item. On a $1 sale, that flat fee alone is 30% — before commission or percentage processing even apply. A $1 sale loses roughly 40% to fees, while a $10 sale loses about 14%.
Should I start auctions at $1 or higher on Whatnot?
Start at $1 only for true loss-leaders where the buyer experience justifies the math. For any item worth $3+, start at $3 (or higher) — you'll attract the same competitive bidders without donating an outsized chunk of your first dollars to fixed fees.
Are Whatnot fees the same across all categories?
No. Whatnot adjusts rates for some categories and promotional periods. The calculator above uses standard published rates — open the 'Adjust fee rates' panel to model your category's actual rates.
Does the buyer pay shipping or do I?
On Whatnot, buyers pay shipping at checkout — the fee calculator above models the seller-side fees on the sale price only. Your effective payout per item is your sale price minus the fees shown.
Run your sales through a raid train
Get more buyers per slot. Higher sale prices mean a smaller % goes to fees.