Ko-fi Fee Calculator
Ko-fi Free takes 0% platform fee on one-time tips (processing via PayPal/Stripe still applies). Memberships, shop, and commissions are 5%. Standard mode charges 5% on everything including tips. Gold can remove the tip platform cut. Use forward/reverse modes before you publish a tip goal.
Not financial advice. These calculators use published fee schedules with last-verified dates. Providers change rates and apply custom pricing — confirm on the official provider site before setting prices or filing taxes. This site is not affiliated with Stripe, PayPal, Square, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Patreon, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, Gumroad, Shopify, or Wise.
Ko-fi donations, commissions, and shop fees.
Key takeaways
- Default schedule (Free plan – one-time tips (with Stripe est.)): 2.90% + 0.30 USD
- On $100.00 charged: fee $3.20, net $96.80
- To receive $100.00: charge about $103.30
How to use this Ko-fi fee calculator
- Select free-plan tips, Standard mode, Gold, or shop estimate.
- Enter donation/sale amount or target net.
- Confirm against Ko-fi’s current help docs.
How it’s calculated
fee = amount × percent + fixed; reverse charge = (net + fixed) ÷ (1 − percent).
Worked check on the default schedule: charge $100.00 → fee $3.20 → net $96.80. Reverse: to keep $100.00, charge about $103.30.
Worked example: $20 tip on Free plan (0% Ko-fi + Stripe est.)
Ko-fi platform fee = $0. With Stripe-shaped processing (~2.9% + $0.30): fee ≈ $0.88; net ≈ $19.12.
Ko-fi fee schedules we track
| Schedule | Percent | Fixed | Currency | Last verified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan – one-time tips (platform only) Ko-fi takes 0% on one-time tips on the Free plan. PayPal/Stripe processing still applies separately (~2.9% + $0.30). | 0.00% | 0.00 USD | USD | Official page | |
| Free plan – one-time tips (with Stripe est.) 0% Ko-fi + typical Stripe processing when fans pay by card. | 2.90% | 0.30 USD | USD | Official page | |
| Standard mode – tips (platform + processing est.) Default for many new creators: 5% on all payment types + ~2.9% + $0.30 processing. | 7.90% | 0.30 USD | USD | Official page | |
| Ko-fi Gold – tips (processing est.) Gold can remove Ko-fi service fee on tips; card processing still applies. | 2.90% | 0.30 USD | USD | Official page | |
| Shop / memberships / commissions (free plan est.) 5% Ko-fi service fee + approximate processing on shop, memberships, and commissions. | 7.90% | 0.30 USD | USD | Official page |
Each row’s source link is the official page I checked on the date shown (RealFeeCalc-style “checked on pricing page” verification).
Payout timing on Ko-fi
Ko-fi payouts go directly to your connected PayPal or Stripe account. Deposit timing follows that processor — often a few business days after the tip clears, not instant.
Donations vs shop vs commissions
One-time tips on Free are 0% platform. Memberships, shop, and commissions are 5% on Free. Standard mode applies 5% to tips as well. Run each mode on your real average order before promising a net goal.
Regional quirks
Currency conversion and local payout eligibility vary by country. Confirm Ko-fi’s help docs for your payout country before relying on break-even math.
Tips for pricing with Ko-fi
- Free plan: 0% on one-time tips; 5% on memberships, shop, and commissions.
- New creators often start in Standard mode (5% on tips too) — you can opt out in Settings → Payment.
- Gold can remove the tip platform cut; processing still applies.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Free plan still takes 5% of one-time tips (it does not).
- Assuming Gold means zero cost end-to-end (processing can remain).
- Not updating prices after a plan change.
Ko-fi shops, commissions, and donations
Ko-fi mixes one-off donations, memberships, and shop sales. Free-plan commission affects tips and some sales; Gold changes the economics for donations. If you sell physical merch, also budget shipping and payment processing on shop checkouts separately from platform commission.
FAQ
Does Ko-fi take a fee?
Free plan: 0% on one-time tips; 5% on memberships, shop, and commissions. Standard mode: 5% on all payment types. Gold can remove tip platform fees.
Are PayPal/Stripe payout fees included?
Schedules note processing where relevant; verify your payout method’s fees separately.
When does Gold pay for itself?
When monthly tip volume × avoided 5% exceeds Gold’s monthly price. Plug your tips into the Standard vs Gold schedules to compare.
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Formula
fee = amount × percent + fixed; reverse charge = (net + fixed) ÷ (1 − percent).
Sources
- Ko-fi — Shop / memberships / commissions (free plan est.) . Used for: 7.90% + 0.30 USD. Checked .
- Ko-fi — Standard mode – tips (platform + processing est.) . Used for: 7.90% + 0.30 USD. Checked .
Estimates only; published rates change and custom pricing may differ. Not financial advice. Not affiliated with Stripe, PayPal, Square, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Patreon, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, Gumroad, Shopify, or Wise. Found an error? Tell me.
Calculator version 1.0 · fee data 2026.11.07 · Fee changelog