Upwork Fee Calculator
Calculate Upwork freelancer fees using the sliding tier system. Know exactly what you'll earn based on your lifetime earnings per client.
Upwork Fee Calculator
Calculate Upwork freelancer fees based on your lifetime earnings with the same client
The amount you're earning from this specific contract/job
Total amount you've already earned from this specific client (not including current job)
Upwork Fee Structure
Sliding Fee Structure (Per Client)
How It Works
- Fee tiers are calculated per client relationship
- Your first $500 with any client is charged at 20%
- Earnings $500.01-$10,000 with the same client are charged at 10%
- All earnings above $10,000 with the same client are charged at 5%
- Each new client starts fresh at the 20% tier
- Fees are automatically deducted from your earnings
Pro Tips
- Build long-term relationships to reach lower fee tiers faster
- The 5% tier makes Upwork competitive with other freelance platforms
- Consider contract size when pricing to account for fee tiers
- Track lifetime earnings per client to estimate effective rates
Understanding Upwork's Fee Structure
Sliding Fee System
Upwork uses a sliding fee structure based on your lifetime earnings with each individual client. As you earn more from the same client, your fee rate decreases.
Per-Client Calculation
Each client relationship starts fresh at the 20% tier. This encourages long-term client relationships and rewards freelancers who build lasting partnerships.
Fee Tier Breakdown
💡 Upwork vs. Other Freelance Platforms
Upwork Tier 3 (5%): Very competitive for established client relationships
Fiverr (5-20%): Similar range but different structure
Freelancer.com (10%): Fixed rate, no sliding scale
Winner: Upwork becomes most cost-effective for long-term, high-value clients