How to Use the Real Estate Commission Calculator
Unlike countries with a government-set commission schedule, the US leaves real estate commission entirely up to negotiation between a seller and their agent. Total commission has traditionally landed around 5-6% of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer's agent — but since the 2024 industry settlement, buyers increasingly negotiate their agent's fee separately rather than assuming it's baked into the seller's side. Enter your sale price, agreed rate, and split to see the dollar breakdown.
The total commission is simply your sale price multiplied by the agreed rate. How that total is split between the listing agent (who represents the seller) and the buyer's agent (who represents the buyer) is also negotiable — a 50/50 split is common, but it can vary by market and by the specific agreement each party signs.
Because there's no legal cap, always confirm your commission rate and split in writing before listing or making an offer. Everything here is negotiable, and rates can vary meaningfully by region, brokerage, and property price.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Unlike some countries, the US has no legal cap or fixed schedule for commission — it's negotiated between the seller and their agent, typically totaling around 5-6% of the sale price, though this has become more variable and negotiable since the 2024 industry settlement changes.
Historically the seller paid both sides out of the total commission, but this is increasingly negotiated separately. Buyers may now need to negotiate their own agent's fee directly, so always confirm who is responsible for which portion before signing.