How Whatnot fees work
Whatnot's take is 8% commission plus 2.9% + $0.30 processing, applied per sale. On a $20 auction win that is $1.60 + $0.88 = $2.48 (12.4%); on a $120 sale it is $9.60 + $3.78 = $13.38 (11.2%). The fixed $0.30 makes very cheap $1 starts expensive in percentage terms, which is why streamers bundle low-value pulls.
Because Whatnot is live selling, the realized price is set by the room, not by you. Track your average sold price per category and use the calculator on that average rather than on your list price.
How to keep more of each Whatnot sale
- Set sensible auction starts — a $1 start that closes at $3 nets about $2.34 after fees and is rarely worth the airtime.
- Giveaways cost you the item plus shipping; budget them as marketing, not as a fee.
- Combine multiple wins into one shipment when Whatnot allows to keep buyers happy without eating extra label costs.
- Cross-list unsold show inventory to eBay and Mercari after the stream so it keeps working for you.
Whatnot fee FAQ
What are Whatnot's seller fees?
Whatnot charges an 8% commission on the sold price plus payment processing of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Buyers pay shipping.
Does Whatnot charge fees on shipping?
Shipping is paid by the buyer and Whatnot generates the label. The 8% commission applies to the sold price of the item.
How much does Whatnot take on a $20 sale?
About $2.48: $1.60 commission plus $0.88 processing, leaving roughly $17.52 before your item cost.
Do I need to be approved to sell on Whatnot?
Yes — sellers apply and are approved per category. Some categories have run promotional commission rates; check Whatnot's current fee page.