the margin kitEtsy fees explained: every fee, with real examples
A $25 sale is not $25 in your pocket. Here's every fee Etsy charges, worked through on a real order, so you can price with your eyes open.
The four fees on almost every order
| Fee | US rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 6.5% | Item price + shipping + gift wrap you charge |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.25 | Order total, incl. shipping and sales tax |
| Listing fee | $0.20 | Each listing, renewed every 4 months or each time an item sells |
| Offsite Ads (only if the sale came from one) | 15% (12% over $10k/yr) | Order total, capped at $100 per order |
Outside the US, payment processing differs: the UK is 4% + £0.20 and most of the EU is 4% + €0.30. Canada and Australia are 3% plus 0.25 in local currency. Etsy updates these from time to time, so check its fee page once a year.
A real example: a $25 candle with $5 shipping
| Order total (item + shipping) | $30.00 |
| Transaction fee (6.5% × $30) | −$1.95 |
| Payment processing (3% × $30 + $0.25) | −$1.15 |
| Listing renewal | −$0.20 |
| Etsy keeps | $3.30 (11%) |
| Shipping label | −$4.50 |
| Wax, wick, jar, label | −$7.00 |
| You keep | $15.20 |
If that same order came from an Offsite Ad, add 15% of $30 = $4.50. Your profit drops to $10.70, almost a third less. That's why every price needs a buffer for ad-driven sales.
Fees people forget
- Fees on shipping. The 6.5% transaction fee also applies to the shipping you charge. "Free shipping" built into the price is charged the same way.
- Listing renewals on multi-quantity listings. Selling 3 of an item in one order renews the listing 3 times: $0.60, not $0.20.
- Etsy Ads. This is a daily budget you set, separate from Offsite Ads. Count it as a marketing expense, not a per-order fee.
- Currency conversion. If your bank account currency differs from your listing currency, Etsy charges a conversion fee (2.5% at the time of writing) on each sale.
- Setup fee. In some countries, new shops pay a one-time setup fee.
How to keep more of each sale
- Price from the bottom up. Add materials, your time, packaging and fees, then add your margin. Don't copy competitors' prices. Our pricing guide shows the formula.
- Raise your average order. The $0.25 and $0.20 fixed fees hurt small orders most. Bundles and "add a second one" variations spread them out.
- Decide on Offsite Ads deliberately. Under $10k a year in sales you can opt out. Keep them on only if your margin can absorb 15%.
- Track profit per order, not revenue. Revenue looks great on the Stats page. Profit is what pays you.
Try any order in the free Etsy fee calculator. It shows every fee and the price you need for the margin you want.
Etsy Seller Profit Tracker
Log orders and see Etsy fees, cost of goods and true profit per order, product and month, plus how much to set aside for tax.
See the Etsy Seller Profit Tracker · $15 Free fee calculatorFAQ
How much does Etsy take per sale?
In the US, about 9.5% of the order total plus $0.45 (6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing + $0.20 listing). That's about 11% on a $30 order, or more if the sale came from an Offsite Ad.
Does Etsy charge fees on shipping?
Yes. The 6.5% transaction fee and payment processing both apply to the shipping you charge the buyer.
Can I turn off Offsite Ads?
Shops with under $10,000 in sales over the last 12 months can opt out in Shop Manager. Above that, participation is required at a 12% rate.