Underpricing is the #1 way beginner woodworkers burn out. Enter your real costs below and get a selling price that actually makes profit – the same formula from our guide to woodworking projects that sell.
Your project costs
How the math works
Selling price = (Materials × 2) + (Hours × Rate) + Packaging, then adjusted so the platform fee still leaves you whole.
Because marketplace fees are a percentage of the final price, the calculator divides by (1 − fee%) at the end — so a 10% fee never eats your profit. Your profit is what remains after materials, consumables, your own labor, packaging and fees are all paid.
Tips for pricing handmade work
- Pay yourself a real wage. If the price only works at $5/hour, the project is wrong, not your rate — pick a better seller from our list of projects that sell.
- Personalization is free margin. A name or date can double a cutting board’s price for 10 extra minutes of work.
- Batch builds raise your true hourly rate. Making 6 boards at once rarely takes 6× the time — re-run this calculator with the real batched time.
- Know your lumber cost first. Use the board foot calculator to price wood by volume before you quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why double the material cost?
The ×2 rule covers everything beginners forget: saw blades, sandpaper, finish, electricity, tool wear and mistakes. Shops that skip it slowly pay to work. It also enforces the floor rule — never sell below 2.5× materials.
What hourly rate should a beginner charge?
Start at $15–25/hour depending on your area and finish quality, and raise it as your speed and reviews grow. Your rate is for skilled hands-on time — batching and jigs raise what you effectively earn without changing the sticker.
How much do Etsy fees actually take?
Etsy’s transaction fee, payment processing and listing fees typically total around 9–12% of the sale price for most sellers (more with Etsy Ads). The 10% preset in this calculator is a safe planning figure.
Should I include shipping in the price?
“Free shipping” listings convert better, but the shipping cost must live somewhere — either in the price (this calculator’s packaging field is for costs you absorb) or charged separately at checkout. Never absorb shipping silently.