eBay Arbitrage Calculator
Estimate your profit, margin and return when buying a product and reselling it on eBay after fees, shipping and other costs.
Overview
This eBay Arbitrage Calculator helps you estimate whether a product is worth reselling on eBay. Enter the expected sale price, item cost, fee rates, shipping cost and any other direct costs to see your estimated profit, margin and ROI.
How it works
The calculator adds together your sourcing cost, seller shipping cost, other direct costs and estimated percentage-based fees. It then subtracts those total costs from the expected sale price to estimate net profit. Profit margin shows profit as a share of the sale price, while ROI shows profit relative to your total cost.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the price you expect the item to sell for on eBay.
- 2Add the amount you paid to source the item.
- 3Enter the estimated eBay fee rate and payment processing rate.
- 4Include your shipping cost and any other direct selling costs.
- 5Review the estimated net profit, margin and ROI before deciding to list or buy.
Example Calculation
Expected eBay Sale Price
$60
Item Cost
$25
eBay Fee Rate
13%
Payment Processing Rate
3%
Seller Shipping Cost
$7
Other Costs
$3
Net Profit
$15.31
If you buy an item for $25 and sell it for $60, with 13.25% eBay fees, 2.9% payment fees, $7 shipping and $3 other costs, your estimated net profit is about $15.31, with a margin of about 25.52% and ROI of about 34.27%.
Frequently asked questions
What does this eBay Arbitrage Calculator estimate?
It estimates your net profit, profit margin, ROI, total fees and total selling cost for an item you plan to resell on eBay.
Does this calculator include eBay seller fees?
Yes. It includes an estimated eBay fee percentage and a separate payment processing percentage based on the values you enter.
Should I include packaging and supplies in other costs?
Yes. If packaging, labels, prep materials or storage are direct costs for the sale, adding them to other costs will give a more realistic profit estimate.
Does the calculator include taxes or returns?
No. Taxes, refunds, returns, ad fees and similar costs are not included unless you manually add them to other costs.
What is a good ROI for eBay arbitrage?
That depends on your sourcing strategy, risk, sell-through rate and time involved. Higher ROI may offer more room for price changes and unexpected costs.
Why is profit margin different from ROI?
Profit margin compares profit to the sale price, while ROI compares profit to your total cost. They measure different parts of the transaction.
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Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- Results are estimates based on the sale price, fees and costs you enter.
- The calculator assumes percentage fees are applied to the sale price only.
- Taxes, refunds, returns, promoted listing fees and currency conversion costs are not included unless added to other costs.
- Shipping charged to the buyer is not included in this version of the calculation.
Warnings
- This calculator provides an estimate only and is not financial or business advice.
- Actual eBay fees and selling costs can vary by category, account type, shipping method and transaction details.