Cost to Sell on Etsy: Every Fee Explained With an Example
Etsy's fees are simple individually and easy to underestimate together. If you price without counting them, a "good" sale can end up barely profitable.
The direct answer (US figures, verified on the date of this article): selling on Etsy costs a $0.20 listing fee per listing (charged again when it renews and when another unit of a multi-quantity listing sells), a 6.5% transaction fee on the total sale including shipping, and payment processing of 3% + $0.25 per order. If a sale comes from Etsy's offsite ads, there's an extra 15% fee (12% for shops above $10,000 in yearly sales). Many countries also have a one-time shop setup fee (around $15 in the US). Rates vary by country.
The fees, one by one
| Fee | Amount (US) | When |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | $0.20 | Listing, renewal, each extra sale of multi-quantity |
| Transaction fee | 6.5% of total incl. shipping | Every sale |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.25 | Every order through Etsy Payments |
| Offsite ads | 15% (12% above $10K/yr) | Only sales from offsite ads |
| Setup fee | One-time, around $15 | When opening a shop (many countries) |
Do this today: check the fee amounts in your own shop's settings, since they depend on your country.
A worked example
A $30 item with $5 shipping ($35 total), no offsite ad:
- Listing fee: $0.20
- Transaction fee: 6.5% × $35 = $2.28
- Payment processing: 3% × $35 + $0.25 = $1.30
- Total fees: about $3.78 (around 11% of the order)
If the same sale came from an offsite ad, add 15% of $35 = $5.25.
Price with fees included
Start from the market's price, then check your margin after fees, materials, packaging, shipping and time.
In EtsyLens: the summary cards show the median price for any search, and each listing shows estimated monthly sales and revenue, so you can see the price band your product must fit.
Lower-price products feel fees most
The fixed parts ($0.20 and $0.25) take a bigger share of cheap items. Bundles and sets raise the order value and make fees a smaller share.
Do this today: calculate fees as a percentage of your cheapest product's price.
Fees change: re-check
Etsy updates fees from time to time. Re-check the amounts before major pricing decisions.
Fees on a cheap item vs. an expensive one
The fixed parts of Etsy's fees ($0.20 listing, $0.25 processing) matter a lot on cheap items:
| Order total | Fees (no offsite ad) | Share of order |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | about $0.93 | around 19% |
| $20 | about $2.35 | around 12% |
| $80 | about $8.05 | around 10% |
US rates; numbers rounded. That's why many low-priced products are sold in sets or bundles.
Costs that aren't Etsy fees
Your real cost to sell also includes:
- Materials and packaging.
- Shipping you pay but don't charge.
- Your time.
- Optional Etsy Ads.
- Currency conversion, if you sell in a currency different from your bank's.
How to reduce the impact of fees
- Raise the average order: bundles, sets and add-ons.
- Charge shipping fairly: the transaction fee applies to shipping too, but undercharging shipping costs you more.
- Avoid unnecessary renewals: each one costs a listing fee.
- Price from the start with fees included, so you never discover them after the sale.
Offsite ads explained
Etsy may advertise your listings on other sites. If a buyer clicks one of those ads and buys within the attribution window, you pay the offsite ads fee on that order. Shops below $10,000 in yearly sales can opt out; shops above it are included at the lower 12% rate. Check your shop settings for your status.
Do this today: calculate fees as a share of your cheapest and most expensive products using the table above as a guide.
FAQ
How much does Etsy take per sale?
In the US: 6.5% of the total plus 3% + $0.25 for payment processing, plus the $0.20 listing fee, and 15% (or 12%) more if the sale came from an offsite ad.
Is there a fee to open an Etsy shop?
In many countries there's a one-time setup fee, around $15 in the US.
Does Etsy charge fees on shipping?
Yes. The transaction fee applies to the total, including shipping.
Do Etsy fees differ by country?
Yes. The listing fee and transaction fee are widely the same, but payment processing rates, the setup fee, currency conversion and some regulatory fees vary by country. Check the fee page in your shop settings for the exact amounts that apply to you, and re-check before major pricing decisions.