Etsy shop startup cost calculator

How this calculator works

The calculator covers first-month costs and per-sale profit. First-month costs are listing fees for the items you list, tools and supplies, and the first batch of items you make or buy. Per-sale figures are the order total, which is the item price plus shipping you charge, the Etsy fees on that total, and your own costs of materials, packaging and postage. It does not include sales tax, income tax or any monthly Etsy subscription.

The steps

1. Add the item price and the shipping you charge. Etsy’s transaction fee is 6.5% of that total.
2. Add payment processing of 3% plus $0.25 per order, and the $0.20 listing fee.
3. For orders that come from Offsite Ads, Etsy charges 15% of the order total, capped at $100. The calculator averages this over the share of orders you enter.
4. Subtract materials, packaging and postage to get profit per sale. Multiply by monthly sales for monthly profit.

Assumptions

• US-market fees at the rates on our methodology page. Fees differ in other countries.
• Each sale pays one listing fee, which assumes a listing renews when an item sells.
• The Offsite Ads rate shown applies to shops under the annual sales threshold. Shops above it pay a lower rate that this calculator does not model.
• Postage you pay is separate from the shipping you charge, so a buyer who pays for shipping still reduces your cost.

Two worked examples

Costs people forget

• Offsite Ads. Etsy can advertise your items elsewhere and charge a fee on resulting orders. For some shops, the fee is mandatory above a sales threshold.
• Postage differences. Postage often costs more than you expect once packaging weight is included. Weigh a finished parcel.
• Etsy Ads. Paid advertising inside Etsy is a separate choice and cost. This calculator does not include it.
• Photography and supplies. Backdrops, lighting and packaging are small purchases that repeat. Add them in tools and supplies.
• Returns and breakage. A damaged parcel means a refund or a replacement plus postage again.
• Tax. Sales tax or VAT may apply, and income from the shop may be taxable. Ask an accountant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open an Etsy shop?

There is no monthly fee for a basic shop, but each listing carries a fee and each sale carries fees. The calculator shows both.

Is the listing fee charged per sale?

A listing is charged when it is created and again when it renews after a sale. The calculator counts one listing fee per sale as an approximation.

What is the Offsite Ads fee?

A fee Etsy charges on orders that came through its advertising off Etsy. The input is the share of your orders that you expect from it.

Does Etsy charge fees on shipping?

The transaction fee applies to the item price plus the shipping you charge, which is why the calculator uses the order total.

Should I use Etsy or my own store?

It depends on volume and traffic. Compare them with our Shopify vs Etsy fees calculator.

Are the fees current?

Reviewed on 10 November 2026 from published fee summaries. Confirm on Etsy’s own fee page before you decide.

Related calculators

• Shopify vs Etsy feesSide-by-side monthly fees and the sales volume where Shopify becomes cheaper.
• Print-on-demand startup costSamples, platform, ads and the orders you need each month to break even.
• E-commerce break-evenHow many orders a month you need to cover fixed costs and a profit target.
• Startup runwayHow many months your savings last, with and without growth.
• Guide: Shopify vs Etsy: which costs less at different sales volumes?Fee tables for ten to a thousand orders a month, and where the two cross.

StartupCostLab provides estimates for planning only. Results depend on the numbers you enter and on fees that platforms change. This is not financial, tax or legal advice. Fee data last reviewed 10 November 2026; confirm current prices on each provider’s own site before you spend money.