How commission works on Whatnot

Lower rates as your sales grow

Your commission rate on Whatnot now drops as your sales reach new thresholds. At the start of every four-week period, we look at your total sales from the previous four weeks and automatically apply the rate you unlocked for the next one.

Nothing to apply for, nothing to enroll in. Built into how Whatnot works, not a limited-time promotion.

Read the announcement Commission FAQ

What would you pay?

Enter your total sales from the previous 4-week period. See the tier it unlocks and the commission rate you'd pay on Whatnot, based on your country and category.

$0$2M+
Your Rate
Tier 3
5.00%
Total SalesTierRate

See which tier you can hit

Your sales are your hours live, times your orders per hour, times your average order value. Drag the levers to set a weekly pace, or tap a tier in the rate card above to aim for it.

Hours live per week
Orders per hour
Average order value
Today (from your numbers)Drag the yellow handle
↺ Return to today's numbers
28-day sales at this pace
$0
Tier & rate you'd unlock
—
Assumes you hold this weekly pace for all four weeks, starting week one. Your rate applies the following period.

Ideas to get you started on each lever

A few ways Sellers move each lever, not a complete playbook. There are plenty more, and growing doesn't have to mean more hours. Pick what fits your business.

Orders per hour

  • Sudden Death auctions keep the pace up and the room engaged.
  • Shorter auction timers and less downtime between items move more product in the same hour.
  • Flash sales and Buy It Now let Shoppers grab multiple items at once, no waiting.

Average order value

  • Bundles and multi-quantity lots turn one checkout into a bigger one.
  • Hero items: mix premium pieces into every Show and give them a moment.
  • Buy It Now listings are a natural home for your higher-value items between Shows.

Show hours, scaled smartly

  • A consistent schedule beats marathon sessions. Shoppers come back when they know when to find you.
  • Schedule Shows in advance so Shoppers can bookmark them and get notified when you go live.
  • Add a co-host or team member to cover more hours. Plenty of top Sellers scale with a crew, not more of their own time.

Only pay commission on what you sold

Whatnot commission applies to the item price only. Most marketplaces apply their rate to the full transaction, including shipping and sales tax.

Whatnot charges on GMV

Gross Merchandise Value

The item price only. Shipping and sales tax excluded from the commission base.

Item price
ShippingNot charged
Sales taxNot charged
Commission base
Commission at
Other marketplaces charge on GTV

Gross Transaction Value

Everything the Shopper pays, including shipping and sales tax.

Item price
Shipping
Sales tax
Commission base
Commission at 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my tier determined?
By your total sales across all categories over a 4-week period. Every completed sale counts toward your tier, in every category, live or marketplace.
How do the 4-week periods work?
Your sales in one period set the tier, and the rate, you get for the next period. Your rate is locked for the full period, and every period starts from zero. Seller Hub shows your exact period dates.
I crossed into a higher tier this period. Why didn't my rate go down?
Your rate is locked for the full period. Crossing into a higher tier lowers your rate at the start of your next period, not right away.
Does the lower rate apply to everything I pay?
The rate applies to your Whatnot selling commission only. Payment processing fees are separate and still apply.
How is the category of a sale decided?
For live Shows, the rate is based on the category of the Show. For marketplace sales, it's based on the category of the product.
What counts as a sale?
Your completed sales across every category, in Shows and the marketplace. Canceled or refunded orders are subtracted from your total.
What happens if my sales drop?
If a period comes in below your current tier's threshold, your rate adjusts at the next period boundary. It works the same in both directions. Keep selling to keep your lower rate.
What happens when a period ends in the middle of a Show?
Each order uses the rate in effect when it was placed. Orders before the boundary use the old rate; orders after it use the new one. Seller Hub shows the exact boundary time so you can plan.
I'm a smaller Seller. How does this help me?
The first reduced tier starts at $15K in 4-week sales, a level plenty of consistent Sellers reach. And you can track your progress toward it at any time in Seller Hub.
What tier do I start at when this launches?
Your first tier is set from your total sales in the four weeks before launch. If those sales reach a threshold, you start at the tier you unlocked. If not, you start at your category's standard rate and work toward a lower rate for the next period. The same rule applies if you took part in the earlier test: your tier resets on those four weeks of sales, not on where you were in the test.
Am I still eligible for other promotions and discounts?
Yes. You always get the lowest rate you're eligible for on any order.

More questions? Read the full commission FAQ in the Help Center.

Fine print. Commission rates are tiered based on sales volume over 4-week periods and vary by category and country. Rates and thresholds shown are for US Sellers. Your rate is locked for each full period and updates at the period boundary. Seller Hub shows your exact rate, period dates, and progress. Every period starts from zero; the threshold has to be reached within a single 4-week period. Sales counted are your completed sales across all categories; canceled and refunded orders are subtracted. Commission applies to the item price only; payment processing fees are separate. This calculator is an illustrative estimate based on the numbers you enter, not a guarantee of results or of any rate. Custom tiers offer rates as low as 3%.