Getting started
What Is Freelancing? A Complete Beginner's Guide
What freelancing is, how freelancers find work and get paid, what you can realistically earn, the pros and cons, and how to start with no money.
Freelance Fee Calculator
Find out how much of a payment you really keep after platform and withdrawal fees, or how much to charge to take home a specific amount.
You take home
$80.00
| Client pays | $100.00 |
| Platform fee (20%) | −$20.00 |
| Withdrawal and conversion fees | −$0.00 |
| You receive | $80.00 |
| In |
You keep 80% of the price. Fees change, so check your platform's current rates.
How to use the fee calculator
- Choose What I take home to see what's left from a price, or What to charge to find the price that leaves you a set amount.
- Enter the amount and pick your platform. The fee fills in automatically, and you can change it.
- Open Add withdrawal and currency fees to include transfer costs and see the result in your local currency.
How the math works
Platforms take their fee from the full price. Withdrawal and currency fees come out of what's left:
- You take home = (price × (1 − platform fee) − flat withdrawal fee) × (1 − conversion fee)
- Price to charge = (amount you want ÷ (1 − conversion fee) + flat withdrawal fee) ÷ (1 − platform fee)
For example, a $100 order on a platform with a 20% fee leaves $80. If you then pay a $3 withdrawal fee and lose 2% on currency conversion, you take home $75.46.
Platform fees used in this calculator
| Platform | Freelancer fee |
|---|---|
| Fiverr | 20% of each order, including tips |
| Upwork | Varies by contract, from 0% to 15%, shown before you accept |
| Freelancer.com | 10% of fixed-price projects, or $5 if that's higher |
| Direct clients | No platform fee; you only pay payment costs |
We checked these fees in October 2026. Platforms change their fees from time to time, so confirm the current rate in your account. To compare more options, see our list of free freelance websites.
Ways to keep more of what you earn
- Withdraw less often. A flat withdrawal fee hurts most on small amounts.
- Compare conversion rates. A small difference in the rate matters on every payment. Read how to get paid when PayPal isn't available.
- Price for what you receive. Work out your rate with the hourly rate calculator first, then use this tool to find the price to list.
- Find direct clients the right way. Clients you find yourself, through LinkedIn or referrals, don't involve platform fees. But never move a marketplace client off the platform; it breaks the rules.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I receive less than the price the client paid?
The platform keeps a percentage as its fee, and you may also pay to withdraw the money and convert it into your currency. This calculator shows each part.
Should I raise my price to cover fees?
Usually, yes. Decide what you need to receive, then use What to charge to find the price. Clients compare prices, so check that the result is still reasonable for your market.
Do clients pay fees too?
On many platforms, clients pay a separate service fee on top of your price. It doesn't come out of your earnings, so it isn't included here.