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Airbnb Fee Calculator

Stop guessing what you'll actually earn. Compare Split-Fee vs Host-Only pricing, and see how your payout stacks up across Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and direct bookings.

Understanding Airbnb Fee Structures in 2026

Airbnb offers two distinct fee models for hosts. Choosing the right one can significantly impact your booking conversion rate and bottom line.

Split-Fee Model (Standard)

  • Host pays: ~3% of the booking subtotal
  • Guest pays: ~14.2% service fee added to their total
  • Best for: Hosts who want the lowest upfront fee (but guests see higher prices)

Host-Only Model (Simplified Pricing)

  • Host pays: ~15% of the booking subtotal
  • Guest pays: $0 service fee
  • Best for: Professional hosts, channel manager users, and those wanting transparent pricing

Why I Switched to Host-Only

After switching 12 properties to Host-Only pricing, I saw a 17% increase in booking conversion. Guests trust "No Service Fee" listings more. Read the full breakdown in our Airbnb Host Service Fee Guide.

How Platform Fees Compare

Not all platforms are created equal. Here's how the major OTAs stack up in 2026:

PlatformHost FeeGuest FeeTotal Take
Airbnb (Split)3%~14%~17%
Airbnb (Host-Only)15%0%15%
VRBO3%~12%~15%
Booking.com15%0%15%
Direct Booking~2.9%0%~3%

The Math to Switch to Host-Only

Worried about losing money when switching from 3% to 15%? Don't be. Here's the formula:

New Rate = Old Rate ÷ 0.85

For example, if your current nightly rate is $100:

  • New rate: $100 ÷ 0.85 = $117.65
  • After 15% fee: $117.65 × 0.85 = $100 (same payout)
  • Guest total: Still $117.65, but now shows "No Service Fee"

For dynamic pricing, tools like PriceLabs can automatically apply this markup. See our pricing tools comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Airbnb charge fees on the cleaning fee?

Yes. Airbnb calculates its service fee on the total subtotal (nightly rate × nights + cleaning fee). This is why some hosts prefer to keep cleaning fees low and bake costs into the nightly rate. Learn more in our Cleaning Fee Guide.

Can I switch between Split-Fee and Host-Only?

If you're using a channel manager or PMS software, you're likely locked into Host-Only. Individual hosts can usually switch viaMenu → Professional Hosting Tools → Pricing → Service Fee.

Why is direct booking so much cheaper?

Direct bookings only incur credit card processing fees (~2.9%). No OTA commission. This is why building a direct booking funnel with tools like Hostaway is the ultimate goal for serious hosts.

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