What Are Whatnot's Seller Fees in 2026?
Whatnot charges two fees per sale in the US: an 8% commission on the sold price, and payment processing of 2.9% + $0.30 on the total order value (including buyer-paid shipping). There are no listing fees and no monthly costs — you pay only when something sells. UK/EU sellers pay 6.67% + VAT instead of 8%.
On a typical $50 live-auction sale, total fees run about $5.75(~11.5% effective) — cheaper than eBay's ~13.6% and Poshmark's 20%, which is part of why live selling of cards, comics, sneakers, and vintage has boomed on the platform.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the sold price (final auction or Buy It Now amount) and buyer-paid shipping— processing applies to the whole order. Optionally add your item cost. You'll see commission, processing, total fees, payout, profit, and effective rate instantly. For a full live stream, run your average sold price through it and multiply.
The Math, With a Worked Example
Formula: Commission = 8% × sold price. Processing = 2.9% × (sold + shipping) + $0.30. Payout = sold price − commission − processing (buyer shipping passes through to the label).
Example: A sports card sells for $50 with $10 buyer-paid shipping. Commission = $4.00. Processing = 2.9% × $60 + $0.30 = $2.04. Total fees = $6.04, payout = $43.96 — a 12.1% effective rate on the sold price.
Live Selling Economics — What Streamers Should Track
Because auctions start at $1, your real metric is average sold price per stream, not per-item fees. Ten $5 sales cost you ten $0.30 processing minimums ($3.00) versus one $50 sale's single $0.30 — small lots are fee-inefficient. Bundle low-value items, set sensible starting bids on singles worth real money, and remember Whatnot income is self-employment income: 1099-K past the threshold, quarterly estimates if you're profitable. Run your net through our SE tax calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Whatnot take per sale?
8% commission on the sold price plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the total order value (including shipping). About 11.5% effective on a $50 sale.
Does Whatnot charge listing or monthly fees?
No. There are no listing fees or subscriptions — fees apply only when an item sells.
Do giveaway items get charged commission?
No commission applies to giveaways, though you still cover the shipping cost you offered.
Is Whatnot cheaper than eBay for cards and collectibles?
Generally yes — Whatnot's ~11-12% effective rate is below eBay's ~13.6% for most collectible categories, and live auctions often achieve stronger realized prices for hot products.
Do I pay taxes on Whatnot earnings?
Yes — selling profit is self-employment income. Whatnot issues a 1099-K past the federal threshold; commissions, processing fees, shipping, and item costs are deductible.
Related Calculators
- eBay Seller Fee & Profit — Compare with eBay's final value fees.
- StockX Fee Calculator — Sneaker/collectible fees by seller level.
- Self Employment Tax Calculator — Taxes on your live-selling profit.