Reverb Fee Calculator
Saved Calculations
The Reverb Fee Calculator is a useful tool for musicians and sellers to estimate the fees associated with selling gear on Reverb. It factors in the platform’s 5% selling fee, payment processing charges, and optional bump fees for promoting listings. Whether you’re selling guitars, audio equipment, or accessories, this calculator helps you determine your net earnings and price your items competitively.
Related Calculators
- eBay Fee Calculator
- Etsy Fee Calculator
- Mercari Fee Calculator
- PayPal Fee Calculator
- Stripe Fee Calculator
How Reverb Fees Work
Reverb is the largest dedicated marketplace for musical instruments, gear, and audio equipment. Whether you’re selling a vintage guitar, a synthesizer, or studio microphones, Reverb charges a combination of selling fees and payment processing fees that reduce your final payout. Understanding these costs before listing is critical to setting competitive prices while preserving your margin.
Complete Reverb Fee Breakdown 2025
| Fee Type | Rate | Cap / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selling Fee | 5% | Capped at $500 per transaction |
| Payment Processing (US) | 2.7% + $0.25 | Applied to total including shipping |
| International Payment | 3.4% + $0.25 | For non-US buyer payments |
| Bump Fee (optional) | Varies (bid-based) | Only charged if boosted item sells |
For a $500 guitar sale with $30 shipping ($530 total): Selling fee: 5% × $530 = $26.50. Payment processing: 2.7% × $530 + $0.25 = $14.56. Total fees: $41.06 — net payout: $488.94.
The $500 Fee Cap: A Major Advantage
One of Reverb’s most seller-friendly features is the $500 cap on the selling fee. This means that no matter how expensive your gear is, Reverb’s 5% selling fee will never exceed $500. For a $20,000 vintage Les Paul, you’d pay the capped $500 selling fee instead of $1,000. This makes Reverb significantly more cost-effective than eBay for high-value instruments, where fees have no such cap.
Reverb Payment Processing Fees
Reverb processes all payments through its own Reverb Payments system. US sellers pay 2.7% + $0.25 per transaction. If the buyer is outside the US, the rate increases to 3.4% + $0.25 to account for cross-border payment processing. These fees are charged on the full transaction amount, including any shipping you charge.
Unlike some platforms, Reverb does not use PayPal for standard transactions. Funds are deposited directly to your linked bank account, typically within 2–5 business days after the buyer confirms receipt.
Bump Fees for Promoted Listings
Reverb’s Bump feature allows sellers to pay for better placement in search results and category pages. Unlike a flat listing fee, Bump uses a competitive bidding system — you set the maximum percentage you’re willing to pay (starting at 1%) and only pay that fee if your boosted listing results in a sale.
Bump fees are calculated on top of the standard selling fee and payment processing, so make sure your item’s margin supports the additional cost before activating it. For popular gear categories like electric guitars and synthesizers, Bump can significantly increase visibility during competitive periods.
Reverb vs eBay vs Etsy for Gear
| Platform | Selling Fee | Processing | Fee Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverb | 5% | 2.7% + $0.25 | $500 | All musical gear |
| eBay | ~13.25% | Included | None | General items, volume |
| Etsy | 6.5% | 3% + $0.25 | None | Handmade instruments only |
| Facebook Marketplace | 5% (online) / $0.40 (local) | Included | None | Local sales only |
For musical instruments specifically, Reverb’s 5% fee plus the $500 cap makes it the lowest-cost option on virtually every sale over $200. eBay charges 2–3× the fees for most instrument categories.
Tips to Maximize Your Reverb Profits
- Price with fees in mind: Use the calculator above to set your listing price based on your target net earnings, not the other way around.
- Charge realistic shipping: Remember that the 5% selling fee applies to shipping charges too. Consider building shipping into the item price and offering free shipping to simplify your listings.
- Use Bump for fast sellers: If you need to move gear quickly, a 1–2% Bump fee is far cheaper than sitting on inventory for months.
- Leverage the $500 cap: For gear priced over $10,000, Reverb’s fee cap makes it dramatically cheaper than eBay. Prioritize Reverb for high-value items.
- Respond quickly: Reverb’s algorithm rewards active sellers. Fast response times to offers and messages improve your listing visibility organically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage does Reverb take?
Reverb charges a 5% selling fee capped at $500 per transaction, plus 2.7% + $0.25 in payment processing fees for US transactions. Combined, most sellers pay around 7.7–8% in total fees. For international sales, the payment processing rate rises to 3.4% + $0.25.
Does Reverb charge if my item doesn’t sell?
No. Reverb does not charge listing fees. You can list as many items as you want for free and only pay fees when a sale completes. This makes it risk-free to list gear at your preferred price and wait for the right buyer.
How long does Reverb take to pay out?
Reverb typically releases funds to sellers within 2–5 business days after the buyer confirms receipt or after the platform’s buyer protection window closes. First-time sellers may experience a slightly longer hold period while their account is verified.
Is Reverb safe for selling expensive gear?
Yes. Reverb is widely considered the safest dedicated marketplace for high-value instruments. All transactions are covered by Reverb’s Buyer and Seller Protection policies, and Reverb Payments handles all money movement — so sellers never share bank details with buyers. For vintage and rare gear over $1,000, Reverb is the recommended platform over eBay or Facebook Marketplace.