How to use this calculator
This calculator runs the math two directions. Forward mode starts with a retail price and tells you the take-home. Reverse mode starts with a target take-home and tells you what the retail price needs to be, useful when you know what you need to net per piece.
- Pick forward or reverse mode based on what you already know.
- Enter the gallery commission percentage from your contract (40 percent is common).
- Add any platform or processing fees (around 3 percent for card processing).
- Set the number of pieces to see batch totals for a full show.
- Print or save the PDF if you need a record for your books.
Frequently asked questions
What's the standard gallery commission?
Typical gallery consignment runs 40 to 50 percent of retail; some boutique galleries take 60 percent; artist co-ops can be as low as 25 percent. Set the rate to match your contract, not the industry default.
Should I price higher to cover the commission?
Yes. The reverse mode answers exactly this: if you want to net $X, what should the retail price be? Many artists set their wholesale floor based on what they need to take home, not on what feels fair to charge.
Does this work for online platforms like Etsy or Shopify?
Yes. Set the commission to 0 (since you keep retail) and the processing fee to the platform's listing plus transaction take. Etsy runs around 9 percent all-in; Shopify is around 3 percent plus the subscription.
What about consignment versus wholesale?
Same math, different framing. Consignment: the gallery takes a cut after the sale. Wholesale: the gallery pays you a fixed amount up front (usually 50 percent of retail) and resells at full price. For wholesale, set commission to (100 minus your wholesale percentage).
Should I include shipping?
Treat shipping as a separate fee unless your contract specifies it comes out of your take. Most galleries handle shipping themselves and bill the buyer.
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