Want your own numbers? The eBay calculator shows every fee and your profit as you type.
Open the eBay US fee calculatoreBay does not use one rate for everything. The final value fee depends on the category you list in, and the difference between the cheapest and most expensive categories is more than double. Here is what US sellers pay and how to use it. Every rate below is built into the category menu of our eBay fee calculator.
Main rates for US sellers without a store
- Most categories: 13.6% up to $7,500, then 2.35%.
- Books, movies and music: 15.3% up to $7,500, then 2.35%.
- Trading cards and collectible card games: 13.25% up to $7,500, then 2.35%.
- Jewelry (not watches): 15% up to $5,000, then 9%.
- Watches: 15% up to $1,000, 6.5% from $1,000 to $7,500, then 3%.
- Guitars and basses: 6.7% up to $7,500, then 2.35%.
- Athletic sneakers: 8% with no per-order fee when the price is $150 or more; the standard rate below that.
- Heavy equipment and some business categories: 3% up to $15,000, then 0.5%.
eBay adjusts these from time to time, and store subscribers get lower rates in some categories. Always check your own invoice and use the custom rate option when yours is different.
The same $200 sale across categories
| Category | Total fees | Payout | Fees % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most categories | $27.60 | $172.40 | 13.80% |
| Books, movies & music | $31.00 | $169.00 | 15.50% |
| Trading cards | $26.90 | $173.10 | 13.45% |
| Jewelry | $30.40 | $169.60 | 15.20% |
| Watches | $30.40 | $169.60 | 15.20% |
| Guitars & basses | $13.80 | $186.20 | 6.90% |
| Athletic sneakers | $16.00 | $184.00 | 8.00% |
| Heavy equipment | $6.40 | $193.60 | 3.20% |
A $200 guitar costs about $13.80 in eBay fees. The same price in books costs $31.00. That gap alone can decide whether a product line is worth selling on eBay at all.
How tiers work
Tiered rates apply to the portion of the price inside each band, like tax brackets. A $2,000 watch pays 15% on the first $1,000 ($150) and 6.5% on the next $1,000 ($65), for a final value fee of $215, not 15% of $2,000.
Choosing the right category
List in the category buyers actually search. Placing an item in a cheaper category it does not belong in can get the listing removed and hurts search visibility. Where an item genuinely fits two categories, though, it is worth comparing the fees.
For a wider look at every fee on the platform, read eBay fees explained. If you sell guitars, also compare the numbers with Reverb’s fees.
Frequently asked questions
Which eBay category has the lowest fee?
Heavy equipment and some business and industrial categories pay 3%. Among consumer categories, guitars and basses have one of the lowest rates at 6.7%.
Do eBay Store subscribers pay lower final value fees?
In some categories, yes. The discount varies by category and store level, so compare your invoices with the standard rates.
Run your next sale through the calculator before you commit.
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