Fees & profit · Free tool
eBay Promoted Listings Calculator
Enter your sale price, cost and ad rate. We show what the ad costs per sale, what you keep, and the highest ad rate that still leaves you a profit.
Want products that pass these checks, listed for you? We research, price and list profit-checked products every month.
Get a free store auditHow promoted listing fees work
With Promoted Listings (general / cost-per-sale), you choose an ad rate, which is a percentage of the sale. You only pay it when a buyer clicks your promoted listing and buys that item within 30 days. The fee is charged on top of eBay’s normal selling fees.
Find your break-even ad rate
Your break-even ad rate is the rate where the ad fee uses up all your profit. Anything above it means you lose money on every promoted sale. A sensible maximum leaves you with the margin you need.
Break-even ad rate = profit before ads ÷ total sale × 100
Ad-rate tips
- Start near the suggested rate eBay shows for your category, then adjust based on results.
- Do not promote items with thin margins. Fix the price or the product first.
- Review your promoted sales monthly and lower the rate on items that would sell anyway.
FAQ
eBay Promoted Listings Calculator questions, answered
Are eBay promoted listings worth it?
They can be, as long as your ad rate is below your break-even rate and the extra visibility brings sales you would not otherwise get. Use this calculator to set a ceiling before you start.
When do I pay the promoted listing fee?
For general (cost-per-sale) promoted listings, you pay only when a buyer clicks your ad and buys the item within 30 days.
What ad rate should I use?
Start around eBay’s suggested rate for your category, but never above the maximum rate this calculator shows for your target margin.
Keep going
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