Common questions
Everything you need to know before you start calculating.
Is the calculator really free?
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Yes, completely free — no account, no credit card, and no time limit. You can use it as many times as you need, for as many products as you like. There are no hidden upgrades required to see your results.
What types of products does it work for?
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Any handmade product — soap, candles, body butter, bath bombs, jewelry, ceramics, food, textiles, and more. As long as your product has ingredients or materials, a labour component, and packaging, the calculator handles it. It's designed for cottage industry and small-batch makers, not factory production.
Do I need to create an account?
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No account needed. Open the calculator, enter your costs, and get your results instantly — nothing is saved to a server unless you choose to export. Your data stays in your browser session.
What costs does the calculator include?
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The calculator covers ingredients and raw materials, packaging (jars, labels, boxes, wrapping), your labour time at a custom hourly rate, platform and selling fees, and a percentage for overhead costs like utilities or workspace. This gives you a true
cost of goods sold — not just material costs.
How is the suggested price range calculated?
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Based on your true cost per unit, the calculator suggests three pricing tiers: competitive (minimum viable margin), premium (healthy profit for a sustainable business), and luxury (positioning your product at the top of the market). Each tier applies a different markup multiplier to your total cost, so you can see what charging more would actually mean for your bottom line. For more on handmade pricing strategy, see
Etsy's pricing guidance for sellers.
What is the difference between the free calculator and Batchforja?
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The free calculator is a standalone tool for figuring out your cost per unit and pricing strategy — ideal if you need a quick answer or are just starting out.
Batchforja is the full software platform for ongoing inventory tracking, production management, and batch costing across your entire product range. Think of the calculator as a starting point; Batchforja is what you use when your business grows beyond spreadsheets.
Does it include Etsy fees in the calculation?
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Yes. You can enter Etsy's transaction fee (6.5%), listing fee, and payment processing fees as part of your selling costs — see
Etsy's current fee schedule for exact amounts. This is one of the most common reasons handmade sellers underprice: Etsy fees alone can eat 10–15% of your revenue if you haven't factored them into your base price.
How do I know if I'm undercharging for my products?
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If your selling price is less than two to three times your true cost per unit, you are likely undercharging. The calculator shows you your cost of goods sold clearly so you can compare it against what you're currently charging. Many makers discover they are not covering their own labour at even minimum wage once packaging, fees, and materials are all counted.
Can I use this to calculate pricing for wholesale?
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Yes. A common wholesale pricing rule is to charge 2x your cost per unit (keystone pricing), while retail is typically 4x or higher. Once you know your true cost per unit from the calculator, you can apply these multipliers directly to set wholesale and retail prices that protect your margin at both levels. If you're self-employed, the
IRS self-employment tax guidance is also worth reviewing when setting your labour rate.
