Calculator
Kickstarter Fee Calculator
See exactly what Kickstarter takes and what you keep. Enter your funding goal and average pledge — the calculator returns platform fee, payment processing, total fees, and your net payout.
Kickstarter fee calculator
Effective fee rate
Reference estimate — 5% platform + 3% + $0.20/pledge. Fees are charged only if you hit your goal. Planning a launch? We’ll map your real numbers →
Kickstarter fees, in short
Kickstarter charges a 5% platform fee plus 3% + $0.20 per pledge for payment processing — roughly 8–10% all-in for most projects, and only if your campaign succeeds.
Fees by goal size
Assuming a $75 average pledge, the all-in rate stays around 8–9% — the dollar amounts scale with your goal:
| Goal | Platform 5% | Processing | Total fees | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $500 | $327 | $827 | $9,173 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 | $1,633 | $4,133 | $45,867 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | $3,267 | $8,267 | $91,733 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $16,333 | $41,333 | $458,667 |
How payment processing works
Payment processing is on top of the 5% platform fee. That fixed $0.20 per pledge is why a campaign with many tiny pledges pays a slightly higher effective rate — another reason your reward-tier pricing matters.
You only pay if you succeed
Kickstarter is all-or-nothing. If you don’t hit your goal, no backer is charged and Kickstarter takes nothing — your fee is $0. Fees apply only to funds you collect on a successful campaign.
The costs creators actually forget
The 8–10% fee is rarely what sinks a budget. The real surprises sit outside Kickstarter’s cut:
Fulfillment & shipping
Often far bigger than the platform fee, especially worldwide.
Manufacturing overruns
Unit costs and MOQs that shift after you’ve funded.
Taxes & currency
VAT/duties and FX losses moving money to your account.
Replacements & refunds
A few percent of almost any campaign.
Marketing / ads
Driving traffic isn’t free, even with a warm list.
Tools & help
Pre-launch page, video, agency or freelancer support.
Kickstarter vs Indiegogo fees
| Kickstarter | Indiegogo | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 5% | 5% |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.20 | ~3% + $0.30 (Stripe) |
| Funding model | All-or-nothing | All-or-nothing or Flexible |
| Charged if you miss goal? | No | No (fixed) / Yes (flexible) |
The platform fees are nearly identical — the real difference is audience and fit, not the percentage. Confirm current rates on each platform.
FAQ
When does Kickstarter charge fees?
Only on a successful, fully-funded campaign. Miss your goal and no backer is charged — your fee is $0.
What’s the payment processing fee?
3% + $0.20 per pledge for standard rewards, about 5% + $0.05 for micro-pledges under ~$10.
Why is my effective rate above 8%?
The fixed $0.20 per pledge adds up — many small pledges raise your effective rate versus fewer, larger ones.
Are there other costs beyond the fees?
Yes, usually bigger: fulfillment, shipping, taxes, currency, replacements, marketing. Budget for all of them.
Can creators outside the US/UK use Kickstarter?
You need an eligible entity and bank account in a supported country. For mainland-China creators that usually means a US LLC — our sister service ApplyRight handles that.
Mainland-China creators: before fees matter, you need eligibility — a US LLC + a US bank account to receive funds — handled by our sister service ApplyRight.
Read more: Kickstarter fees explained →
Fee figures are general, publicly available Kickstarter/Stripe/Indiegogo rates and can change — confirm current rates with each platform. Calculator output is an estimate, not a quote.