How Whatnot seller fees work
Per Whatnot's seller fees page, a US seller pays two fees on every order:
- Commission on the item's sale price. Shipping and the tax the buyer pays don't count. The rate depends on your category and your sales tier.
- Payment processing of 2.9% + $0.30 on the whole order the buyer pays: item price, shipping and tax.
Since September 21, 2026, commission drops as your sales grow. Your total sales across all categories over a four-week period set your tier for the next four weeks. Each sale is then charged the rate for its category: the show's category for live sales, the product's category for marketplace sales.
Whatnot commission rates by tier (US)
| Category | Standard | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | Tier 4 | Tier 5 | Tier 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports | 8% | 7.75% | 7.5% | 7.25% | 7% | 6.75% | 6.5% |
| TCG | 8% | 7.75% | 7.5% | 7.25% | 7% | 6.75% | 6.5% |
| Fashion | 8% | 7% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 5% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Other Collectibles | 8% | 7.25% | 6.5% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Coins | 4% | 3.9% | 3.8% | 3.7% | 3.6% | 3.55% | 3.5% |
| Other | 8% | 7% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Tier sales ranges: Standard $0 to $14,999, Tier 1 $15,000 to $34,999, Tier 2 $35,000 to $49,999, Tier 3 $50,000 to $99,999, Tier 4 $100,000 to $249,999, Tier 5 $250,000 to $499,999, Tier 6 $500,000 and up. Whatnot says rates as low as 3% are custom terms for its highest-volume sellers. Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia have their own rate cards.
The $1,500 high-value rule
In select categories, Whatnot charges 0% commission on the part of a single order's sale price above $1,500, per its high-value orders page. Whatnot's own example: a $2,000 item pays 8% on the first $1,500, which is $120, and nothing on the other $500. Processing still applies to the full order. Sports breaks and Surprise Products don't qualify, and in Sports Cards only the Singles subcategories do. Whatnot calls this a limited-time promotion.
Why $1 starts cost more than they look
The $0.30 part of the processing fee is fixed per order, so it weighs most on cheap items. On a $1 sale, it alone takes 30%. On a $50 sale, it's 0.6%. Run your average show price through the calculator with the number of sales set to your order count to see what a night of $1 starts nets you.
Ways to pay less in fees
- Sell more in each four-week period. Your tier resets every 28 days, and crossing into a higher tier lowers your rate for the next period.
- List in the right category. Whatnot warns that picking a wrong category to get a lower rate counts as fee avoidance and can lead to enforcement.
- Raise your average order. Bundles and higher starts spread the fixed $0.30 over more money.
- Fill your shows. More viewers mean more bids per item. Our guide on how to get more viewers on Whatnot covers how, and how we work shows how we turn each show into clips that bring buyers to the next one.
This calculator is an estimate. Whatnot shows the exact fees on every order in Seller Hub, under Orders, then the order's receipt and earnings details.
Questions
What percentage does Whatnot take?
For most US categories, 8% commission on the item price at the Standard tier, falling to as low as 4% to 6.5% at higher tiers, plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on the order total. Coins start at 4%.
Does Whatnot charge commission on shipping?
No. Commission is charged on the item's sale price only. Shipping and tax paid by the buyer are part of the order total, so they do add to the 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee.
How does the Whatnot tier system work?
Your total sales across all categories in a four-week period set your tier for the next four weeks. The rate you pay on each sale then depends on that sale's category. Private shows, local pickup orders and cancelled orders don't count toward your total.
Where do I see the fees on a real order?
In Seller Hub, open Orders, then the order, then its receipt and earnings details. Your tier, your pace toward the next one and your projected rate are on the Seller Hub home page.
Sources
- Whatnot seller fees, Whatnot Help Center. Checked Oct 10, 2026.
- Reduced Commission on High-Value Orders, Whatnot Help Center. Checked Oct 10, 2026.