Use this free Whatnot fees calculator to see exactly what Whatnot takes from each sale, your payout and your real profit after item and shipping costs. I help a US retailer run its Whatnot shows, so I built it to check margins before every show. Enter your numbers below and the results update instantly.
Key Takeaways
- Whatnot charges a commission on the item price: 8% for most categories, 5% for electronics and 4% for coins and money.
- On top of that, a payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 applies to the total order, including shipping and tax.
- There are no listing fees and no monthly subscription.
- All-in, most sellers pay roughly 10–12% of the sale price.
- High-volume sellers can get lower, volume-based commission rates.
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Whatnot Fees Calculator
🧮 Whatnot Fees Calculator
Commission is charged on the item price. Payment processing (2.9% + $0.30) is charged on the total order, including shipping and tax. Always check your Whatnot seller dashboard for your exact rates.
How Whatnot Fees Work in 2026
Every sale on Whatnot has two fees:
| Fee | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Commission (most categories) | 8% | Item sale price |
| Commission (electronics) | 5% | Item sale price |
| Commission (coins & money) | 4% | Item sale price |
| Payment processing | 2.9% + $0.30 | Total order: item + shipping + tax |
Whatnot has also introduced lower, volume-based commission rates for high-volume sellers, and runs limited-time promotions in some categories (for example on high-value trading cards). Use the custom rate option above if your rate is different, and check your seller dashboard for the current numbers.
Pricing a sale? Use my free eBay fee calculator to see exactly how much eBay takes and your real profit.
Example: What You Keep From a $50 Sale
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Item price | $50.00 |
| Shipping paid by buyer | $5.00 |
| Sales tax paid by buyer | $4.00 |
| Commission (8% of $50) | −$4.00 |
| Processing (2.9% of $59 + $0.30) | −$2.01 |
| Your payout | $48.99 |
| Minus item cost and label ($20 + $5) | $23.99 profit |
That is about 12% in total fees on the item price. Small, cheap items lose a bigger share to the fixed $0.30, so bundle low-value items where you can.
7 Ways to Keep More of Every Sale
- Bundle small items so the $0.30 fixed fee is spread across more value.
- Price shipping correctly with accurate weights so labels don’t eat your margin. See my Whatnot shipping guide.
- Set starting bids above your break-even for valuable items.
- Grow your volume to qualify for lower commission tiers.
- Track every show’s profit in a simple sheet, not just revenue.
- Use giveaways strategically: they cost money, so link them to follows and sales.
- Compare channels: some items earn more on eBay. See Whatnot vs eBay.
Tip: Run your three best-selling items through the calculator before your next show and set minimum starting bids from the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Whatnot take from sellers?
Whatnot takes a commission on the item price (8% for most categories, 5% for electronics, 4% for coins and money) plus a payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 on the total order. Most sellers pay about 10–12% in total.
Is the Whatnot processing fee charged on shipping?
Yes. The 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee applies to the total order, including shipping and tax. The commission applies only to the item price.
Does Whatnot have listing fees?
No. Whatnot has no listing fees and no monthly subscription. You only pay fees when an item sells.
Can I get lower Whatnot fees?
Whatnot offers lower, volume-based commission rates for high-volume sellers and sometimes runs category promotions. Check your seller dashboard for your current rate.
Can a virtual assistant help run my Whatnot store?
Yes. A VA can create listings, prepare run sheets, handle shipping and track profit per show. I do this for Whatnot sellers at $5–7 per hour.
Conclusion
Whatnot fees are simple once you know the two parts: a commission on the item price and processing on the whole order. Use this calculator before every show to set smart starting bids, protect your margins and see your real profit, not just your sales.
Whatnot Virtual Assistant
Need help with listings, run sheets and shipping for your shows? See my Whatnot virtual assistant service.
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Pin it to your Pinterest board so you can use it before every show.
About the Author
Rahana Islam
Virtual Assistant & E-commerce Specialist with 7+ years of remote experience supporting businesses in the United States, Denmark and worldwide with WordPress, Shopify, Amazon, Walmart and eBay operations. Level 2 Fiverr seller with a 5.0★ rating from 167 reviews, an NSDA-certified trainer & assessor and the #1 LEDP earner of Dhaka district.
Want Help Running Your Whatnot Shows?
I prepare listings, run sheets and shipping for Whatnot sellers at $5–7/hour.
