How commission is calculated
Commission is a slice of the value you sell, paid to reward results rather than hours. The math is a straight percentage: multiply the sale amount by the commission rate and divide by 100. Sell more, or sell at a higher rate, and the payout grows in direct proportion.
Many roles pair commission with a base salary — a guaranteed floor that you keep regardless of sales. Total earnings are simply the base plus whatever commission you generate, so this tool lets you leave the base at zero for a pure-commission view or add it to see your full take for the period.
Reading the result
The headline figure is the commission earned on the sales you entered. Total earnings layer the base salary on top so you can see the complete picture.
The chart shows how your total pay divides between the guaranteed base and the variable commission. A heavily commission-weighted split means higher upside but more income risk; a base-heavy split is steadier but caps how much extra effort pays off.
Things to check before you trust a number
Commission plans are rarely as simple as a single flat rate. Watch for the details that change what you actually receive:
- Tiered rates that rise once you pass a quota, so different sales earn different percentages.
- Whether commission is paid on revenue, gross profit, or margin — the base it applies to matters as much as the rate.
- Clawbacks on refunds or cancellations, which can reverse commission already paid.
- Caps, draws against future commission, and the timing of when payouts are actually disbursed.
Formula
commission = saleAmount·ratePercent/100; total = baseSalary + commission