Substack fee calculator.

Worked example

5,000 free subscribers at a 5% conversion rate is 250 paid subscribers. At $8.00 a month that is $2,000.00 before fees. Substack's 10% is $200.00. The example card rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per charge costs $133.00 (2.9% of $2,000.00 is $58.00, plus 250 x $0.30 = $75.00). You keep $1,667.00 a month, $20,004.00 a year, 83.4% of revenue.

How it works

Substack's page for writers says writers keep 90% of their revenue minus credit card fees. The calculator takes 10% of revenue, then subtracts card fees at the percent and fixed amount you enter. The card figures are examples; the page does not state a card rate, and the one used here is Stripe's published domestic-card rate on its Canadian page. Use the rate on your own statements.

Annual plans, discounts, founding-member prices, refunds and failed payments change the real number. The conversion rate is yours to set; this tool has no benchmark for it.

Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.

Sources

The 90% figure comes from the Substack page below. The card rate is an example taken from the Stripe page. Pages opened 2026-10-08:

• Substack Revenue Calculator | Start a Paid Newsletter on Substack
• Pricing & Fees - Stripe (Canada page)

FAQ

How much does Substack take?

Substack's page for writers says writers keep 90% of their revenue minus credit card fees, so Substack takes 10% and card processing is separate.

What card fee does the calculator use?

An example of 2.9% + $0.30 per charge, which is the domestic-card rate on Stripe's Canadian pricing page. Substack does not state a card rate on its page, so replace it with the rate on your own statements.

How many paid subscribers do I need for $2,000 a month?

With the example inputs you need 300 paid subscribers at $8.00 a month.

What conversion rate should I use?

Use your own: paid subscribers divided by total subscribers. This calculator does not assume a typical rate.