How Etsy fees eat into your candle profit
It is easy to set a $28 candle price, subtract your $11 cost, and assume you made $17. But Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee, a 6.5% transaction fee on the item price and the shipping you charge, plus a payment processing fee of about 3% + $0.25 in the US. Together that is often 10–13% of the order — and if your shipping charge does not cover your real postage, that gap comes out of your pocket too. This calculator subtracts all of it so the number you see is what actually lands in your bank account.
How to price candles on Etsy and still profit
- Start with your true cost per candle (use the main cost calculator if you need it).
- Add the profit you want to keep per candle.
- Raise the price enough to absorb ~10–13% in Etsy fees, so your take-home stays on target.
- Make sure the shipping you charge covers your real postage and packaging — undercharging shipping is the most common hidden loss.
Typical Etsy fee breakdown on a $28 candle (+ $6 shipping)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | $0.20 |
| Transaction (6.5% of $34) | $2.21 |
| Payment processing (3% + $0.25 of $34) | $1.27 |
| Total Etsy fees | ≈ $3.68 |
Frequently asked questions
What fees does Etsy charge on a candle sale?
A $0.20 listing fee, 6.5% transaction fee on item + shipping, and roughly 3% + $0.25 payment processing in the US. The calculator subtracts all three.
How do I price candles on Etsy to still make a profit?
Start from your true cost, add your target profit, then lift the price enough to absorb ~10–13% in fees and make sure shipping charged covers real postage.