E-commerce
fees calculator
A $50 product on Amazon can cost $7.50+ in fees before shipping — 15% or more of your price. See your real profit per sale on any platform.
The sticker price is not your revenue
Marketplaces take a cut at every step: referral fees (5–15%), payment processing (2.9% + $0.30), platform fees (monthly or per listing), and shipping. On a $50 product these easily reach $8–15.
Your net profit per sale is price minus all fees, minus product cost and shipping. Run the calculator below before pricing anything.
Referral / commission
5–15% of the sale price, category-dependent. Amazon charges ~15% on most categories.
Payment processing
~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction via Stripe/PayPal or the platform processor.
Platform & shipping
Monthly plans ($0–39), listing fees, and shipping which you set or subsidize.
The margin rule : If your product costs less than ~40% of the selling price, marketplace fees + shipping will eat most of your profit. Price with the full fee stack in mind.
How to price for real profit
Five steps from cost to profitable price.
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1
List every fee
Referral %, payment fee, platform fee, shipping, returns. Total them as a share of price.
-
2
Add product cost
Goods + packaging + your time. Underestimating cost is the #1 profit killer.
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3
Set shipping honestly
Free shipping attracts buyers but it is a cost you pay. Build it into the price.
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4
Compare platforms
Shopify (your own store) vs Amazon (built-in traffic) vs Etsy (craft buyers). Fees and traffic differ.
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5
Re-price by category
Raise prices or cut costs until net margin hits 20%+. The calculator shows the gap.
Fee stacks by platform
Typical fees on a $50 sale in 2026.
| Platform | Fixed monthly | Per-sale fees | On $50 sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify (own store) | $29–39 | 2.9% + $0.30 payment | ~$1.75 |
| Amazon (FBM) | $0–39 | ~15% referral | ~$7.50 |
| Amazon (FBA) | $0–39 | 15% + fulfillment | $12–16 |
| Etsy | $0–29 | 6.5% + $0.45 | ~$3.70 + listing |
| eBay | $0 | ~13.25% + $0.30 | ~$6.90 |
Where the money goes
The four cuts every platform takes.
Referral fees
- 5–15% of the sale price
- Category-dependent
- Amazon ~15% on most
Payment processing
- ~2.9% + $0.30 per sale
- Built into platform fees
- Your own store still pays it
Platform & listings
- Monthly plans $0–39
- Etsy charges per listing
- Shopify charges for apps
Shipping & returns
- Free shipping is a cost
- Returns average 10–20%
- Build both into the price
E-commerce profit calculator
Enter price, cost, fee rate and shipping — see your real profit and margin per sale.
Estimates only, based on your inputs.
What fits your store
Match the platform to your product and audience.
Craft seller
Etsy’s built-in buyers justify the 6.5% fee. Price your time in — crafts are labor-heavy.
Your own brand
Shopify gives control and lower per-sale fees, but you pay for traffic via ads.
Volume seller
Amazon FBA handles fulfillment but takes 15% + storage. High volume can still pay.
Small local shop
Etsy or Shopify Plus-lite beat marketplace fees for low volume with loyal customers.
Wholesale / own site
WooCommerce on your hosting cuts fees to payment processing only.
High returns category
Clothing and electronics eat margin in returns. Add 10–20% to the price to absorb it.
Why it pays to calculate & Pricing traps
Why it pays to calculate
- ✔Knows your real profit before you price — not after.
- ✔Reveals which products are actually worth selling.
- ✔Makes platform choice a numbers decision, not a feeling.
Pricing traps
- ✕Ignoring returns and chargebacks in the margin.
- ✕Free shipping on low-margin products.
- ✕Comparing platforms by monthly fee instead of total cost.
E-commerce terms decoded
The selling lexicon, in plain English.
E-commerce fees FAQ
How much do e-commerce platforms charge?
How do I calculate profit per sale?
What is a good net margin for e-commerce?
Is Shopify or Amazon cheaper?
Do returns cost money?
Should I offer free shipping?
Are there hidden fees?
How much should I price my product?
Fee rates are 2026 averages and vary by category, country and plan. This guide is educational, not a pricing tool substitute.
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Run the profit math
Use the calculator above, then model your pricing and margins.