← Guides · November 10, 2026
How to Calculate Your Real Net Profit on Online Marketplaces
The sale price is not your profit. Count every deduction from the sale to your bank account.
Step by step
- Sale price including any shipping the buyer pays.
- Referral and payment fees: a percentage plus often a fixed fee per order.
- Shipping cost you pay, including packaging.
- Cost of goods: what the item cost you.
- Advertising allocated to that sale.
- Returns and refunds, averaged across orders.
Example
An item sells for $40 with free shipping. Fees of 15% are $6, shipping is $5, product cost is $14 and ad spend per sale is $3. Net profit: 40 − 6 − 5 − 14 − 3 = $12, a 30% margin on the price.
Pricing backwards
Decide the profit you need, add the costs, then divide by one minus the fee percentage. That gives the minimum price that works.
Watch for
- Fee changes by platform and category.
- Storage or long-term fees for inventory services.
- Sales tax or VAT rules.
Enter your costs in the calculator to compare marketplaces and set a safe price.