Whatnot deducts two main seller fees from a purchase: commission and payment processing. For most U.S. categories, commission is 8% of final sale price. Processing is 2.9% of total order value plus $0.30.
The distinction matters because total order value usually includes the item, buyer-paid shipping, and buyer-paid tax, while commission generally uses only the final item price. Applying both percentages to the same base produces the wrong answer.
How the two fee bases work
Commission is Whatnot's marketplace share. Payment processing covers checkout and uses the broader amount paid by the buyer. A $50 item can therefore have an $8 commission base but a higher processing base once shipping and tax are included.
- Most categories: 8% commission
- Coins & Money: 4% commission
- Processing: 2.9% of checkout value + $0.30
- Seller-paid shipping lowers earnings separately
A live auction needs a floor price
Before a show, calculate the lowest final bid that still protects your target profit. Include item cost, supplies, giveaway shipping, and any shipping discount you fund. A low opening bid is a marketing tactic only when the expected closing bid remains profitable.
High-value and promotional exceptions
Whatnot publishes temporary category promotions and may cap commission on eligible portions of high-value orders. Those rules can be time-limited. Check the live official fee article on the day the show is planned.
Use receipts to improve future estimates
After the sale, compare predicted fees with the order receipt. Buyer location, tax, bundling, shipping, and promotions can change processing. Recording the variance makes the next show's pricing more accurate.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What percentage does Whatnot take in the U.S.?
Most categories use 8% commission, plus 2.9% payment processing on total order value and a $0.30 fixed transaction fee.
Does Whatnot charge processing on sales tax?
Whatnot says total order value usually includes buyer-paid tax, so it commonly affects payment processing.
Are Whatnot giveaways charged seller fees?
The official help article says giveaways have no seller fees because the buyer pays nothing, though the seller still covers shipping.