Kickstarter Fee Calculator
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter Funds Raised ($)
Enter the gross amount pledged before platform or payment-processing fees.
- 2
Review the estimated fees and payout
The estimate applies an 8% percentage fee and one $0.20 flat fee. Because there is no backer-count field, it does not multiply the flat fee by the number of pledges.
Example Calculation
A project raises $100 and uses the calculator's simplified one-flat-fee estimate.
Funds Raised ($)
100
Results
Estimated Fees
$8.20
Estimated Net Payout
$91.80
Effective Fee Rate
8.2%
Insights card shows the estimated amount deducted from funds raised.
Tips
$500 raised produces an estimated $459.80 payout
Change Funds Raised ($) from $100 to $500 to see how the fixed $0.20 fee has less effect on the effective rate as the funding amount grows.
Each additional pledge can add another $0.20 processing fee
Use the calculator for a quick estimate, then multiply the flat processing fee by your expected pledge count to model the per-pledge effect. Kickstarter's actual processing charges depend on pledge transactions.
A goal is not the same as spendable revenue
Compare your estimated payout with the cash needed to make and ship rewards. Add production, shipping, taxes, and contingency costs to your campaign budget before setting a funding goal.
What this calculator estimates
This calculator estimates the amount left after applying an 8% fee and one $0.20 flat charge to the funds raised. It is a simplified estimate, not a final Kickstarter payout statement: it does not ask how many backers make pledges or account for taxes, refunds, reward costs, or shipping.
How the fee estimate works
Estimated fee = Funds raised × 0.08 + $0.20
Estimated net payout = Funds raised − Estimated fee
Effective fee rate = Estimated fee ÷ Funds raised × 100
For the example, the percentage fee is $100 × 0.08 = $8.00. Add the modeled $0.20 flat charge to get $8.20 in fees. Subtract that from $100: $100 − $8.20 = $91.80. The effective rate is $8.20 ÷ $100 × 100 = 8.2%.
Kickstarter's real processing charges can include a flat fee for each successful pledge. Since this calculator has no pledge-count input, treat its flat-fee result as a one-charge approximation rather than a full campaign reconciliation. Check Kickstarter's fee details when preparing a final budget.
How funding amount changes the estimate
The percentage portion grows with funds raised, while the modeled flat fee stays at $0.20. The table assumes the calculator applies that flat fee once.
| Funds raised | Estimated fee | Estimated payout | Effective fee rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $4.20 | $45.80 | 8.4% |
| $250 | $20.20 | $229.80 | 8.08% |
| $500 | $40.20 | $459.80 | 8.04% |
More backers can increase actual processing charges even when the total raised stays the same. For a platform comparison, use the Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo fee comparison calculator. To estimate a different payment processor, try the Square fee calculator or the PayPal fee calculator.
Set a goal that covers campaign costs
Use the estimated payout as a starting point, then subtract the cost of producing each reward, packaging, shipping, taxes, and campaign expenses. A campaign can meet its funding goal and still run short if reward costs were not included when the goal was set. The SBA guide to calculating startup costs offers a framework for listing one-time and ongoing business expenses.
When to use a different calculator
- Compare Kickstarter with another crowdfunding platform → Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo fee comparison calculator
- Estimate fees on in-person or online card sales → Square fee calculator
- Estimate fees on PayPal transactions → PayPal fee calculator
- Estimate artist music-distribution deductions → CD Baby fee calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
What fees does Kickstarter charge?
This calculator models an 8% combined percentage fee plus a $0.20 flat fee. Kickstarter describes its platform fee and payment-processing fees separately, and the final processing cost depends on successful pledges and payment details; check Kickstarter's current fee explanation before budgeting.
Does this calculator account for every backer?
No, it has no backer-count input, so its $0.20 flat fee is applied once in the simplified estimate. Payment processors generally apply transaction-level charges, so a campaign with many small pledges can pay more than this result suggests.
How do I calculate a Kickstarter payout?
1. Multiply funds raised by 8%. 2. Add the modeled $0.20 flat fee. 3. Subtract total modeled fees from funds raised. For example, $100 × 0.08 + $0.20 = $8.20 in fees, leaving $91.80.
Is the net payout the amount I can spend on rewards?
No, it is only the gross funding less the fees modeled here. Production, shipping, taxes, refunds, and campaign expenses still reduce the money available; the SBA startup-cost guide explains why businesses should budget operating costs separately.