Real Estate Commission Calculator

See exactly what agent commission costs on your home sale — and what actually lands in your pocket — before you sign anything.

📖 How it works & FAQ

Sale price ($)

Total commission (%)

Listing agent share of commission (%)

What real estate commission really costs

Agent commission is usually the single biggest expense when you sell a home. On a $400,000 sale, a traditional 6% commission is $24,000 — money that comes straight out of your proceeds at closing. This calculator shows the total commission, how it divides between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, and your seller net after commission, updating instantly as you type. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.

How the split works

The commission rate you negotiate with your listing agent typically covers both sides of the deal. A 6% total split 50/50 means 3% goes to your listing agent’s brokerage and 3% to the buyer’s agent’s brokerage. Splits aren’t always even — some listings offer 2.5% to the buyer’s side, and since the 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is more openly negotiable than ever. Adjust the “listing agent share” field to model any arrangement, including 100% if you’re paying only your own agent.

How to use it

Enter your expected sale price (your agent’s CMA or a recent appraisal is a good starting point).
Set the total commission % — 5–6% is common, but discount brokers and negotiated deals can be lower.
Set the listing agent’s share of that commission (50% models an even split).
Read the cards: total commission, each agent’s side, and your net after commission.

Note: these figures are estimates only, not financial, tax, or legal advice — your actual commission, closing costs, and net proceeds depend on your signed listing agreement and local practice.

FAQ

Is 6% commission mandatory?: No. Commission has always been negotiable, and rates of 4–5.5% are increasingly common. Flat-fee and discount brokerages go lower still, usually with fewer services included.
Who pays the commission?: Traditionally the seller pays both sides out of the sale proceeds. After the 2024 rule changes, buyers may agree to pay their own agent directly — if so, lower the listing share to see a seller-pays-one-side scenario.
Is “seller net” what I’ll walk away with?: Not quite. It’s your price minus commission only. Subtract your mortgage payoff, transfer taxes, title fees, and any credits to the buyer for a true bottom line.
Does each agent keep their whole side?: Usually not — each agent splits their side with their brokerage, often 70/30 or similar, but that split doesn’t change what you pay.