Amazon FBA vs FBM Cost Calculator
Instantly compare the true fulfillment costs, storage fees, and net profits of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) versus Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).
Compare Your Fulfillment Profits
Enter your product details and estimated fees below. The calculator instantly breaks down the total costs and net profit for both FBA and FBM models.
FBA vs FBM Estimator
Calculate net profit and cost differences for both fulfillment methods.
Understanding FBA vs FBM
Key factors that influence your fulfillment choice
The Prime Advantage
FBA listings automatically qualify for Amazon Prime, which significantly boosts visibility, conversion rates, and eligibility for the Buy Box.
Hidden FBM Costs
FBM isn’t just shipping. Factor in your time, packaging materials, warehouse space, return handling, and customer service inquiries.
Storage Fee Spikes
FBA storage fees increase dramatically during Q4 (October–December). If your product is slow-moving, FBM might be safer to avoid long-term storage penalties.
Scalability
FBA scales effortlessly with your business. FBM requires you to manually manage increased picking, packing, and shipping as order volume grows.
FBA vs FBM Feature Comparison
Generalised comparisons to help you understand the broader operational implications of each fulfillment method.
| Feature | Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) | Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Eligibility | Automatic Prime badge | Requires Seller-Fulfilled Prime (strict metrics) | FBA |
| Storage & Shipping | Amazon handles everything | You handle packing, shipping, and storage | FBA |
| Per-Unit Cost | Higher (includes pick, pack, ship, weight handling) | Lower (you control shipping carrier and costs) | FBM |
| Returns & Customer Service | Amazon manages returns and buyer inquiries | You manage all returns and customer service | FBA |
| Best For | Small, lightweight, high-volume, or fast-moving goods | Oversized, heavy, slow-moving, or highly customised items | Depends on Product |
FBA vs FBM Calculator FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Amazon fulfillment costs and strategies.
With FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), Amazon stores your inventory, picks, packs, ships, and handles customer service. With FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant), you handle all storage, shipping, and customer service yourself or through a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
Not always. While FBA has higher per-unit fulfillment and storage fees, it can be cheaper for small, lightweight items. Furthermore, FBA often leads to higher sales volume due to the Prime badge, which can offset the higher fees through economies of scale.
Yes. The calculator applies your specified Amazon referral fee percentage (default 15%) to your total revenue for both FBA and FBM scenarios, as this fee is charged by Amazon regardless of your chosen fulfillment method.
You can find the exact FBA fulfillment fee for your product by using the official Amazon FBA Revenue Calculator in Seller Central, or by checking the FBA fee schedule based on your product’s specific dimensions and weight.
Yes, this is a common strategy. Many sellers use FBA to capture the Prime-eligible Buy Box for the majority of sales, while keeping a smaller FBM listing as a backup to avoid stockouts if their FBA inventory is temporarily depleted.