Affiliate Commission Calculator
Enter the product price, the commission rate and how many sales you expect. The calculator shows what an affiliate earns, and what the merchant keeps after paying the commission.
How to use this Affiliate Commission Calculator
- Enter the price of the product you promote or sell.
- Enter the commission rate from the affiliate program.
- Enter how many sales you expect per month.
- Enter the share of sales that are refunded and have the commission reversed.
- Add the merchant product cost if you want the merchant view, then press Calculate.
How to calculate affiliate commission
Affiliate commission is a percentage of the sale, reduced by any commission that is reversed on refunds.
- Commission per sale = price x commission rate
- Monthly commission = commission per sale x sales
- After refunds = monthly commission x (1 – refund rate)
- Merchant profit per sale = price – product cost – commission
Worked example
A product sells for $80 and the program pays 10%, so each sale earns the affiliate $8.00. With 50 sales a month that is $400.00. If 5% of sales are refunded and the commission is reversed, the affiliate keeps $380.00 a month, or $4,560.00 a year. If the merchant product costs $30, the merchant keeps $80 – $30 – $8 = $42.00 per sale after paying the commission.
For affiliates, the commission rate is only one part of the picture. A lower rate on a product that converts well can earn more than a high rate on one that does not. For merchants, the commission is a cost of acquiring a customer, so compare it with your other channels and make sure the margin still works after refunds. Ask the program about its cookie window and its payout rules.
Assumptions & limits
- The calculator uses one flat commission rate. Many programs use tiers, bonuses or different rates by product.
- The refund rate is applied evenly to all sales. Real refunds are lumpy and some programs reverse commission only within a certain period.
- Taxes, network fees and payment fees are not included.
- The sales figure is an input, not a forecast. Use your own tracked results.
- Merchant profit uses the product cost you enter and ignores shipping and overhead.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate affiliate commission?
Multiply the sale price by the commission rate. A 10% rate on an $80 sale is $8.
What is a typical affiliate commission rate?
It varies by industry and program. Check the terms of each program, as rates range from a few percent to much higher for digital products.
Do refunds affect affiliate commission?
Often yes. Many programs reverse the commission when an order is refunded.
How much can affiliates earn?
It depends on traffic, conversion and the rate. Use the calculator with your own sales to estimate.
Is the commission before or after tax?
The calculator shows gross commission. Taxes depend on your situation.
Can merchants use this?
Yes. Enter the product cost to see the profit per sale after the commission.
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Last updated: November 2026