Before you list that thrift store score on eBay, Mercari, or Poshmark, run the numbers. The calculator below shows your real profit after platform fees, shipping, supplies, and the time you actually spent. Pre-fill your numbers and see whether the resale is worth the weekend.
How to use the Flip Calculator
Enter what you paid, what you plan to list it for, and what it will cost you to actually move the item. The calculator subtracts every cost line and tells you whether the flip is worth your time. Run the same item through the calculator at different listing prices to find a floor you will not regret.
Need the calculator to fit a specific platform? Adjust the fee percentage to match what the platform actually charges (numbers below). The calculator does not know what app you are flipping on, so the inputs are the source of truth.
What “real profit” actually means when you flip
The sticker profit (sold price minus what you paid) is the number flippers brag about. The real profit is what hits your bank account after platform fees, shipping, supplies, mileage to the post office, and the half hour you spent photographing and listing. The Flip Calculator is built around the second number because the first one is what makes garage sale flippers quit their day jobs and then quietly come back six months later.
Common platform fees flippers forget
Fee structures change. Verify on the platform before listing, but as a 2026 reference:
- eBay: Roughly 13.25% final value fee on most categories, plus $0.30 per order. Higher in some categories.
- Mercari: 10% selling fee plus 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing.
- Poshmark: Flat $2.95 on sales under $15, 20% on sales $15 and up.
- Depop: 10% selling fee plus payment processing (typically Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30).
- Facebook Marketplace: Free for local pickup. 5% selling fee on shipped items.
- Etsy (for vintage flips): $0.20 listing fee, 6.5% transaction fee, plus payment processing.
These do not include returns, ad fees, or shipping label costs. Build a buffer.
Costs flippers undercount
- Time. Photographing, writing the listing, answering questions, packing, driving to the post office. Pick a number per hour for yourself and stick to it.
- Supplies. Boxes, mailers, tape, tissue, thank-you notes if you do that.
- Returns and refunds. A handful per year will dent your margin. Bake it in.
- Cleaning. Laundry, leather cleaner, mild detergent, a magic eraser. Real money over a year.
- Mileage. Driving to estate sales, thrift stops, the post office. $0.67 per mile is the 2026 IRS rate if you want a defensible number.
- Storage. If you rent a storage unit, that is a fixed monthly cost across every flip you have on hand.
Flip Calculator FAQ
What profit margin should I aim for on a flip?
Most full-time resellers target at least a 3x return (sold price three times what you paid) before fees. After fees, that often lands at 60 to 80 percent margin, which absorbs the occasional dud. For higher-priced items where the dollar profit is large, a smaller margin can still be worth your time.
Are shipping costs included in the calculator?
Yes — shipping is its own line. Use the actual buyer-paid shipping if the platform deducts it from your payout, or use your true shipping cost if you charge a flat rate.
Should I count my time as a cost?
If you are flipping for fun, no. If you are deciding whether this becomes a business, absolutely. Plug in your real hourly rate (or what you would earn doing literally anything else) and the calculator will tell you whether the flip is worth your hours.
Does the calculator save my numbers?
No. Everything runs in your browser only — nothing is saved or sent anywhere. Bookmark a flip by screenshotting the breakdown, or just re-run it next time.
Can I use this for Amazon or Walmart Marketplace?
Yes, but Amazon FBA fees are layered (referral + FBA + storage + long-term storage). Sum all of those into the fees field. The calculator works on whatever totals you give it.
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