Arbitrage Profit Calculator
Calculate your net profit, ROI, and platform fees for eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and more. Find out if a deal is worth flipping — before you spend a dollar.
Deal Details
Results
Net Profit
$0.00
Enter prices to calculate
- Gross Revenue
- $0.00
- Platform Fee
- - $0.30
- Net Revenue
- -$0.30
- Buy Price
- - $0.00
- Shipping Cost
- - $0.00
- Cost of Goods
- - $0.00
- Sales Tax
- - $0.00
- Total Costs
- - $0.00
Break-even Sell Price
$0.35
Don't sell below this
How to Calculate Arbitrage Profit
Arbitrage profit is the money left over after you buy a product at one price and resell it at a higher price — once every fee, shipping cost, and tax is accounted for. The formula is simple in theory but easy to get wrong in practice: Net Profit = Sell Price − Platform Fees − Buy Price − Shipping − Other Costs. Most new flippers forget to factor in the platform fee and end up shocked when their "profit" disappears.
Every marketplace takes a cut. eBay charges a 13.25% final value fee plus a $0.30 per-order fee on the total sale amount (including shipping). Amazon takes a 15% referral fee plus $0.99 per item on the Individual plan, or 8% plus a $39.99/month subscription on the Professional plan. Facebook Marketplace is cheaper at 5%, while Poshmark takes the biggest bite at 20%. Shipping costs — both what you pay to send the item and what the buyer pays — directly affect your net profit and should always be entered into the calculator.
Here's a worked example. Say you buy a pair of headphones for $40 and flip them on eBay for $80. eBay's fee is 13.25% of $80 ($10.60) plus $0.30, so $10.90. If shipping costs you $8 and you paid $3 in sales tax, your total costs are $40 + $8 + $3 = $51. Your net revenue is $80 − $10.90 = $69.10, and your net profit is $69.10 − $51 = $18.10. That's a 35.5% ROI and a 22.6% profit margin — a solid flip.
The break-even sell price is the minimum you can charge without losing money. Our calculator solves for it automatically using each platform's fee structure, so you know the exact floor price before you list. If the market is selling below your break-even, walk away — there's no profit to be made no matter how good the deal looks.
eBay Profit Calculator
This tool doubles as a dedicated eBay profit calculator. Select "eBay" from the platform dropdown and it applies eBay's 13.25% final value fee plus the $0.30 per-order fee automatically. eBay's fee is calculated on the total amount of the sale(item price + shipping + sales tax), so be sure to enter your shipping cost — even if the buyer pays it — for an accurate estimate. Power sellers who list more than 250 items per month should remember eBay's $0.35 per-listing fee for additional listings, which is not included here.
Amazon Arbitrage Calculator
Choose "Amazon (Individual)" or "Amazon (Professional)" to use this as an Amazon arbitrage calculator. The Individual plan charges a 15% referral fee plus $0.99 per item — best for low-volume sellers. The Professional plan drops the referral fee to 8% and waives the per-item fee, but adds a $39.99/month subscription that only pays off if you sell enough volume. As a rule of thumb, if you sell more than ~40 items a month the Professional plan is cheaper. Note that some product categories on Amazon have different referral fee percentages; this calculator uses the standard 15%/8% rates.
Flip Calculator
Whether you're flipping thrifted clothes on Poshmark, garage-sale finds on Facebook Marketplace, or clearance electronics on Amazon, this flip calculator works for any reselling scenario. Just enter what you paid, what you'll sell it for, pick your platform, and add any shipping or supply costs. The ROI and profit margin tell you instantly whether a flip is worth your time — aim for at least 30% ROI to cover your effort and the risk of returns.
Platform Fee Comparison
| Platform | Fee % | Flat Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25% | $0.30 | 13.25% final value fee + $0.30 per order |
| Amazon (Individual) | 15.00% | $0.99 | 15% referral fee + $0.99 per item |
| Amazon (Professional) | 8.00% | — | 8% referral fee + $39.99/mo subscription |
| Facebook Marketplace | 5.00% | — | 5% fee ($0.40 for items under $8) |
| Craigslist | 0% | — | Free for local pickup |
| Mercari | 10.00% | $0.30 | 10% + $0.30 |
| Poshmark | 20.00% | — | 20% fee (flat $2 for items under $15) |
| Depop | 10.00% | $0.30 | 10% + $0.30 |
| OfferUp | 12.90% | $0.30 | 12.9% + $0.30 |
Which platform has the lowest fees?
Craigslist has the lowest fees — zero — but only works for local, in-person sales. Among shippable platforms, Facebook Marketplace wins at just 5% (or a flat $0.40 for items under $8). Amazon Professional is next at 8%, but only after you cover the $39.99/month subscription. Mercari and Depopsit in the middle at 10% + $0.30, while eBay at 13.25% and Poshmark at 20% take the largest cut. The right platform depends on your item, your audience, and how fast you need it to sell — not just the fee.
Tips for Maximizing Your Profit
- •Always calculate fees before you buy. A "deal" isn't a deal if platform fees eat your margin. Run the numbers in this calculator first.
- •Negotiate shipping. Shipping is often the difference between profit and loss. Use USPS Priority Mail flat-rate boxes for heavy items, and compare Pirate Ship, Shippo, and eBay's discounted rates.
- •Bundle supplies in bulk. Buy boxes, tape, and bubble mailers in bulk to cut your cost of goods sold from dollars per item to cents.
- •Pick the right platform for the item. Clothes sell best (and fastest) on Poshmark and Depop despite higher fees; electronics do better on eBay; local bulky items belong on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
- •Target 30%+ ROI. Anything less barely covers your time, gas, and the risk of returns or a buyer dispute. Use the break-even price as your floor and aim well above it.
- •Track every deal. Log your buy price, sell price, fees, and shipping for each flip. Over time you'll learn which categories and platforms give you the best net profit — and which to avoid.
Find deals worth flipping.
BargainHuntrs scans 500+ retailers in real time and surfaces clearance deals and price glitches with the profit spread already calculated. Stop guessing — start flipping.