Upwork fee calculator
See what you actually keep on Upwork. Published fee: 0-15% variable service fee per contract (5% on Direct Contracts, 0% with Freelancer Plus). Verified Oct 2026.
Estimates use each platform’s published fee; payment-processing costs and taxes are not included.
Worked examples on Upwork
| Amount | Estimated fee | You keep (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | $0.00 – $15.00 | $85.00 – $100.00 |
| $500.00 | $0.00 – $75.00 | $425.00 – $500.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $0.00 – $150.00 | $850.00 – $1,000.00 |
| $5,000.00 | $0.00 – $750.00 | $4,250.00 – $5,000.00 |
Based on: 0-15% variable service fee per contract (5% on Direct Contracts, 0% with Freelancer Plus). Ranges reflect tiered or category-dependent fees.
Compare with other freelance sites like Upwork
All fees →| Platform | Published fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Arc.dev | 0% - no fee to developers | Calculator → |
| Kolabtree | 20% commission deducted from project fee | Calculator → |
| Andela | No fee to join, negotiated pay | Calculator → |
| Braintrust | 0% for talent, clients pay 10% | Calculator → |
| Bionluk | ~20% commission on completed orders | Calculator → |
| Comet | 5% service fee on daily rate | Calculator → |
| Fastwork | 17% commission, sliding to ~7% high-value | Calculator → |
| Zhubajie | 0% commission, monetizes via memberships | Calculator → |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Upwork take in fees?
Upwork's published fee is: 0-15% variable service fee per contract (5% on Direct Contracts, 0% with Freelancer Plus). Fees can vary by category, seller level, or country — always check the platform's current pricing page.
How much do I keep from $1,000 on Upwork?
Based on the published fee, you would keep approximately $850.00 to $1,000.00 from a $1,000 sale or project on Upwork — before payment-processing costs and taxes.
How does Upwork pay out?
Upwork pays via: Direct to Local Bank, PayPal, Payoneer, Direct to U.S. Bank, Wire transfer, M-Pesa, Instant Pay (US). Payout timing: Hourly: 10 days after the billing week ends (5 days sooner for Top Rated), fixed-price: 5 days after the client approves (clients have up to 14 days t.
Is this calculator official?
No — it is an independent estimate by FreelanceSites.net based on Upwork's published fee at the time we last verified it. Actual fees can differ by region, category, promotions, and payment method.