Key takeaways
- Gross = members × average pledge.
- Net = gross − platform fee − processing fee, so you keep the rest.
- Plans run roughly 5%, 8%, or 12%; processing adds about 3%.
- The ring shows your net take-home percentage and turns green at 85% or higher.
How much does Patreon take from creators?
Patreon income is simple at the top — members × average pledge gives your gross — but two fees come off before you get paid. The first is Patreon's platform fee, historically about 5%, 8%, or 12% depending on your plan. The second is payment processing, roughly 3% plus a small per-transaction charge. Subtract both from gross and you have your real net take-home. Most creators keep somewhere between about 80% and 92% of pledges.
The ring tracks your net take-home percentage and turns green at 85% or higher, flagging an efficient fee structure. A lower percentage usually means you're on a higher plan tier — worth it only if you use the extra features.
Worked example: 200 members at $7
Gross = 200 × $7 = $1,400. On the 8% plan plus 3% processing, total fees = $1,400 × 11% = $154, leaving a net of $1,246/mo, or about $14,952/yr. Net take-home is $1,246 ÷ $1,400 = 89% — above the 85% mark, so the ring shows green.
Patreon plan fees compared
| Plan | Platform fee | Approx. net (with ~3% processing) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest tier | ~5% | ~92% |
| Mid tier | ~8% | ~89% |
| Highest tier | ~12% | ~85% |
Keeping more of every pledge
To raise net income, pick the lowest plan that covers the features you need, encourage annual pledges to cut per-transaction processing, and lift average pledge with clear tiers. Compare recurring membership income with on-platform streams using the Twitch earnings calculator, or model a newsletter membership with the newsletter revenue calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage does Patreon take?
A platform fee of 5, 8, or 12% depending on plan, plus ~3% processing and a small per-transaction charge — so creators keep roughly 80–92% of gross pledges.
How do I calculate my net income?
Gross = members × average pledge. Net = gross − (plan% + processing%). So 200 members at $7 on an 8% plan + 3% processing nets about $1,246.
What are the Patreon plan tiers?
Historically about 5%, 8%, and 12%, with higher tiers unlocking more features. Set the plan fee directly to model your plan.
Does this include processing fees?
Yes — on top of the platform fee it subtracts a processing fee, defaulting to ~3%. Adjust it to your actual rate.
What is a good net take-home percentage?
Higher is better. The lowest plan keeps ~90–92%, the highest ~83–85%. The ring turns green at 85% or above.
Are these figures accurate?
They're estimates. Actual fees depend on plan, currency, country, payout method, and current terms. Check your Patreon payout details for exact numbers.
Plan and processing fees reflect Patreon's published plan structure and typical card-processing rates; exact fees vary by currency and country. See Patreon pricing. Your payout statement is the best input.
Last reviewed June 14, 2026