Whatnot Profit Calculator
Calculate your Whatnot live selling profits with accurate 8% commission, 2.9% + $0.30 processing fees, Premier Shop discounts, high-value order benefits, and break-even analysis.
Whatnot Profit Calculator
Calculate your Whatnot live selling profits with accurate 8% commission, 2.9% + $0.30 processing fees, Premier Shop discounts, high-value order benefits, and break-even analysis.
Sale Details
Different fee structures apply by region
Categories have different commission rates. Some are eligible for high-value discounts.
The final winning bid amount in your live sale
Your original cost to acquire the item
Number of items in this transaction
Whatnot flat rate is $8.77 after fees (2025)
Actual cost you pay for shipping (USPS rates: $4.63-$13.45)
Whatnot Commission Structure (2025):
- •8% standard commission (most categories)
- •5% for Electronics
- •4% for Coins & Money
- •0% on amounts above $1,500 (select categories)
- •Premier Shop: 10% commission reduction
Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Your Whatnot Profit
Profitable Sale
This live sale will generate a positive profit after Whatnot fees and costs.
Net Profit
$0.00
After all fees and costs
Profit Margin
0.0%
Excellent margin
Total Whatnot Fees
$0.00
0.0% of sale price
Total Revenue
$0.00
Sale + shipping charged
Detailed Breakdown
Fee & Cost Breakdown
Understanding Whatnot Profit: Your Complete Guide to Live Selling Success
What is Whatnot Live Selling?
Whatnot is a live-streaming marketplace where sellers broadcast live video shows to sell collectibles, trading cards, sneakers, fashion, and more. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, Whatnot combines the auction excitement of eBay with the engagement of live video, creating a dynamic shopping experience where buyers bid in real-time during your live shows.
Sellers can run auctions, "buy it now" sales, giveaways, and mystery breaks during their live streams. The platform handles all payment processing and provides shipping labels, making it easier to manage sales compared to juggling multiple platforms. However, understanding Whatnot's commission structure and costs is critical to maintaining profitability in the fast-paced live selling environment.
Understanding Whatnot's Commission Structure
Whatnot charges sellers a commission fee on each sale, with rates varying by category. Understanding these fees is essential for pricing your items correctly during live sales:
8% Commission Categories (Standard Rate)
- •Sports Cards: Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer - all sports cards and memorabilia carry the standard 8% commission.
- •Funko Pops: All Funko collectibles including exclusives, chase variants, and vaulted items at 8%.
- •Comics & Anime: Comic books, graphic novels, and anime collectibles at standard 8%.
- •Pokémon & Trading Cards: All Pokémon TCG products, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other trading card games at 8%.
- •Toys & Hobbies: Vintage toys, modern collectibles, action figures, and hobby items at 8%.
- •General Collectibles: Other collectible categories not specifically listed below use the standard 8% rate.
Reduced Commission Categories
- •Electronics: Tech products, gaming consoles, and electronic devices benefit from a reduced 5% commission rate.
- •Coins & Money: Numismatic items, currency, and coin collectibles have the lowest standard rate at just 4% commission.
High-Value Discount Program
For select categories in the US market, Whatnot offers a powerful high-value discount: orders exceeding $1,500 pay 0% commission on the amount above $1,500. This dramatically improves profitability on premium items.
- •Eligible Categories: Sports Singles, Comics & Anime, Toys & Hobbies, Trading Cards, Coins & Money
- •Example: On a $2,000 sports card sale, you pay commission only on the first $1,500 (8% × $1,500 = $120). The remaining $500 is commission-free.
Shipping Costs: Seller Responsibility on Whatnot
Unlike eBay where buyers typically pay shipping, Whatnot sellers are responsible for all shipping costs. This is a critical difference that can significantly impact your profitability if not properly accounted for in your pricing strategy.
Typical Shipping Costs (2025 USPS Rates)
- •USPS First Class Package: $4.63 for lightweight items under 1lb (most single cards in toploaders, small collectibles).
- •USPS Ground Advantage: $7.20-$15 for 1-5lb packages (graded cards, sealed products, multi-item orders).
- •USPS Priority Mail: $9.50-$20+ for heavier items or faster delivery (sneakers, electronics, large collectibles).
- •Packaging Materials: Don't forget bubble mailers ($0.30-$0.50), toploaders ($0.20), boxes ($1-$3), and protective materials.
Common Shipping Mistake
Many new Whatnot sellers underestimate shipping costs, especially when selling low-value items. If you auction a card for $10 but shipping costs $5, you're left with only $5 before commission and your original cost. On a $10 sale with 8% commission ($0.80), your net is $4.20 - and you haven't even covered your item cost yet. Always build shipping into your minimum starting bid or reserve prices.
Authentication and Grading Costs
For high-value items, authentication and grading services add significant costs that must be factored into your profit calculations:
- •PSA Grading: $20-$100+ depending on service level and card value. Essential for vintage cards and high-value modern cards.
- •Beckett Grading: Similar pricing to PSA, popular for autographed cards and modern releases.
- •CGC Grading: $20-$75+ for comics and trading cards, competitive pricing structure.
- •Sneaker Authentication: StockX, GOAT, or eBay authentication services if pre-authenticating before Whatnot sales.
Strategies to Maximize Whatnot Profits
Successful Whatnot sellers employ specific strategies to maximize engagement and profitability during live shows:
Live Show Best Practices
- •Set Strategic Starting Bids: Start auctions high enough to cover shipping + commission + minimum profit. Don't let items go for less than break-even.
- •Bundle Lower-Value Items: Combine multiple lower-value cards or collectibles into lots to reduce per-item shipping impact.
- •Use "Buy Now" for High-Profit Items: Don't risk auctioning high-demand items that might sell below market value - set fixed prices.
- •Time Your Shows Strategically: Go live when your target audience is most active (evenings, weekends for most collectibles).
- •Offer Shipping Discounts for Multiple Purchases: Encourage buyers to purchase multiple items by offering combined shipping deals.
Category-Specific Strategies
- •Sports Cards: Focus on hot rookies, vintage cards, and graded slabs. The 8% commission makes this one of the most profitable categories.
- •Funko Pops: Exclusives and vaulted items sell well. Shipping costs are higher due to box size - factor in $7-$10 shipping minimum.
- •Sneakers: High sale prices can yield excellent absolute profit. Authentication is often required for premium releases.
- •Pokémon & TCG: Mystery packs and breaks are popular. Sealed products have better margins than singles due to perceived value.
Who Benefits Most from Whatnot Selling?
Whatnot's live selling format isn't for everyone. It works best for:
- •High-Volume Sellers: If you have consistent inventory to sell multiple times per week, live shows build audience and loyalty.
- •Charismatic Personalities: Engaging sellers who enjoy being on camera and interacting with buyers in real-time thrive on Whatnot.
- •Sports Card & Collectibles Dealers: The 8% commission is lower than eBay's 12.9% + $0.30, making Whatnot more profitable for these categories.
- •Breakers & Mystery Sellers: Live breaks of sealed products (cards, packs) create excitement and premium pricing.
- •Anyone Tired of eBay Fees: 4-8% commission beats eBay's 12.9% final value fee for most categories, especially when combined with faster payouts.
Common Whatnot Profit Calculation Mistakes
Mistakes That Kill Live Selling Profits
- •Forgetting Shipping Costs: The biggest mistake new sellers make. Shipping is YOUR cost on Whatnot - it must be built into pricing.
- •Starting Auctions Too Low: Letting a $20 card start at $1 means you might lose money even if it sells for $8-$10 after shipping and commission.
- •Not Tracking Item Costs: If you buy bulk lots and don't know your per-item cost, you can't properly calculate profit.
- •Ignoring Authentication Fees: For graded cards, the $20-$100 grading cost must be recovered in the sale price.
- •Wrong Commission Rate: Using the wrong category rate (standard 8%, electronics 5%, or coins 4%) can throw off profit calculations.
Final Thoughts
Whatnot's live selling format creates unique opportunities for profit, but only if you understand your true costs. The combination of commission fees (8-12%), seller-paid shipping ($4-$20+ per item), and authentication costs can quickly turn what seems like a profitable sale into a break-even or losing proposition.
Successful Whatnot sellers treat their shows like a business: they track every cost, set strategic minimum bids, bundle low-value items, and build shipping costs into their pricing. They know their numbers cold and can make split-second pricing decisions during fast-paced live auctions.
Use this calculator before every show to set your minimum acceptable bids. Know your break-even point on every item, and don't be afraid to pass on sales that won't be profitable. Building a sustainable Whatnot business means selling smarter, not just selling more. Target profit margins of at least 25-35% to account for unsold inventory, returns, and the time investment required for engaging live shows.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
What commission does Whatnot charge sellers?
Whatnot charges 8% commission on most collectibles categories including sports cards, Funko Pops, comics, Pokémon cards, trading card games, toys, and general collectibles. Electronics have a reduced 5% commission, and coins & money have the lowest rate at 4%. This commission is calculated on the final sale price (hammer price) and is automatically deducted before payout. Premier Shop members receive an additional 10% reduction on commission rates.
Who pays for shipping on Whatnot?
Unlike eBay where buyers typically pay shipping, sellers are responsible for all shipping costs on Whatnot. This is a critical difference that significantly impacts profitability. You must build shipping costs into your starting bids and "buy now" prices. For a typical single card in a toploader, expect to pay $4.63 for USPS First Class Package. Heavier items like graded cards, sealed products, or Funko Pops can cost $7-$20+ to ship.
How does Whatnot compare to eBay fees?
Whatnot's 4-8% commission for most categories is significantly lower than eBay's 12.9% final value fee plus $0.30 transaction fee. For a $100 sale, eBay charges $13.20 in fees while Whatnot charges $8 (standard 8%), $5 (electronics), or just $4 (coins). However, you must account for seller-paid shipping on Whatnot versus buyer-paid shipping on eBay. For high-value items where shipping is a small percentage of total cost, Whatnot is usually more profitable. For low-value items under $15-$20, eBay might be better due to buyer-paid shipping.
What is a good profit margin for Whatnot sales?
Aim for profit margins of 25-35% or higher after all costs (item cost, shipping, commission, authentication). Margins below 20% leave little room for error, unsold inventory, or price fluctuations. Remember that you're investing time in live shows - your profit should compensate you fairly for both inventory costs and the time spent engaging viewers during broadcasts. Successful Whatnot sellers treat 30% margins as their minimum acceptable threshold.
Should I start auctions at $1 or set minimum bids?
Never start valuable items at $1 unless you're confident in heavy bidding activity. Calculate your break-even point: (Item Cost + Shipping Cost) ÷ (1 - Commission Rate). For example, if an item cost you $10 and shipping is $5, your break-even on an 8% category is $16.30. Start your auction at or above break-even, or use a reserve price. Starting too low is how sellers lose money on Whatnot - the excitement of bidding doesn't always drive prices to fair market value.
How do I calculate break-even pricing for live auctions?
Use this formula: Break-Even Price = (Item Cost + Shipping Cost + Authentication Fee) ÷ (1 - Commission Rate). For an 8% category with $20 item cost, $5 shipping, and $0 authentication, the break-even is ($20 + $5) ÷ 0.92 = $27.17. This is the absolute minimum you should accept. For profit, add your desired margin: with a 30% target margin, set your minimum at $27.17 ÷ 0.70 = $38.81. This calculator does these calculations automatically.
What are the best categories to sell on Whatnot?
Sports cards, Pokémon, and trading card games are the most popular and profitable categories due to high demand, the lower 8% commission, and relatively low shipping costs for singles. Funko Pops also perform well despite higher shipping costs. Graded cards (PSA, Beckett) command premium prices that easily absorb commission and grading costs. Sneakers can be profitable at high price points ($200+) despite the 12% commission, but shipping costs are significant. Avoid selling low-value raw cards under $10-$15 - shipping costs make these unprofitable.
Should I get my cards graded before selling on Whatnot?
Only grade cards where the grading cost ($20-$100) can be recovered through increased sale value. A raw card selling for $30 probably isn't worth grading (you'd need to sell the graded version for $50+ just to break even on grading costs). But a raw vintage card or rare rookie that might grade PSA 9 or 10 and sell for $200-$500+ is often worth grading. Research sold comps for graded versions of your card before paying for grading services. For modern cards, grading rarely makes financial sense unless it's a true key rookie or rare parallel.
How often should I go live on Whatnot to make money?
Consistency builds audience and sales. Successful sellers typically go live 3-7 times per week on a regular schedule (same days/times). This trains your audience when to expect you. One-off occasional shows struggle to build viewership. However, quality matters more than quantity - don't go live without proper inventory preparation and pricing knowledge. Each show should have enough inventory (30-100+ items) to keep the show moving for 1-2 hours minimum. Empty shows or frequent delays kill engagement.
Why did I lose money on a sale that seemed profitable?
Common culprits: (1) Forgetting to include shipping costs in calculations - this is the #1 mistake, (2) Using the wrong commission rate (standard 8%, electronics 5%, coins 4%), (3) Not accounting for authentication or grading fees on PSA/Beckett slabs, (4) Underestimating actual shipping weight causing higher-than-expected USPS charges, (5) Not tracking original purchase price accurately (especially in bulk lot purchases), (6) Packaging materials costs ($0.50-$2 per item adds up), (7) Returns or damaged shipments requiring refunds.