How to use the calculator
Start with a realistic sale price, not your hopeful asking price. Use recent sold prices for the same model and condition where you can find them. If you charge the buyer for shipping, add that to the sale price, because many marketplaces take their percentage from the total the buyer pays.
Then enter what you paid, including repairs, cleaning or parts. Add the shipping you pay to send the item and the packing cost. Finally, replace the example fee settings with the fees your marketplace shows for your category and account. Results update as you type.
The bottom line answers a buyer's question: if you want a set margin, what is the most you should pay? Change the target margin to match your own rule.
What selling fees typically include
- A final value or commission fee: a percentage of the sale, sometimes including the shipping charged.
- A fixed fee per order: a small flat amount on every sale, common on larger marketplaces.
- Payment processing: some platforms include it in the main fee, others charge it separately.
- Optional promotion: paying for promoted or sponsored listings adds a percentage on top.
- Other costs: currency conversion, listing upgrades or shop subscriptions, depending on the platform.
Rates differ between marketplaces, categories and countries, and they change. The defaults here are examples only. Check your marketplace's current fee page before relying on a result.
A worked example
Illustration, not a real quote: an item sells for 100. With a 13% fee and a 0.30 fixed fee, fees are 13.30. After 8 in shipping, the net payout is 78.70. If you paid 40, your profit is 38.70, a 38.7% margin. For a 30% margin on that same sale, the most you could have paid is 48.70.
Common mistakes
- Using the listing price instead of the sale price. Offers and price drops lower what buyers actually pay.
- Forgetting fees on shipping. If the fee applies to the total, shipping you charge is taxed too.
- Ignoring packing materials. Boxes and padding add up across many sales.
- Leaving out your purchase price. The net payout is not profit until you subtract what you paid.
- Confusing margin with markup. A 30% margin is profit as a share of the sale price, not of your cost.
For more on these numbers, read what you keep after selling and how to price used items.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate profit on a resale item?
Subtract all selling fees, the shipping and packing you pay, and what you paid for the item from the sale price. What is left is your profit.
What is the difference between margin and markup?
Margin is profit divided by the sale price. Markup is profit divided by your cost. An item bought for 50 and sold for 100 with no costs has a 50% margin and a 100% markup.
Are the default fees in this calculator accurate for my marketplace?
No. They are example values. Marketplace fees vary by platform, category, country and account and change over time, so enter the fees your marketplace currently shows.
How much should I pay for an item I want to resell?
Work backwards from a realistic sale price. Subtract fees, shipping and packing, then subtract the profit you want. The calculator shows that maximum for your target margin.