99designs charges 5%–15% depending on whether you're Entry, Mid, or Top Level. This calculator shows your exact net earnings and what your client is charged on top — including the new-client introduction fee.
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Current fee structure (2026): Entry Level: 15% · Mid Level: 10% · Top Level: 5%. Client introduction fee: 20% of first $500 with a new client (max $100, charged to client). Client platform fee: 5% on all orders. Source: support.99designs.com, verified June 2026.
Your designer level
$USD
This is a new client (first project together)
Applies the 20%-of-first-$500 introduction fee (charged to client, not deducted from you)
99designs fee (your side)
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15% platform fee
⭐ Your net earnings
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— take-home
Project value
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Your fee rate
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Client also pays
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ℹ️ New client: introduction fee of — also charged to client (20% of first $500, max $100). This does not reduce your earnings.
Want to take home a specific amount? Enter your target and designer level — we'll tell you what project price to quote.
Your designer level
$USD
⭐ Quote this amount
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Set your project price to this
99designs takes
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Your take-home
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You quote
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Level fee used
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How much difference does designer level make? Compare net earnings at the same project price.
Designer level
Fee rate
On $500 project
On $1,000 project
On $3,000 project
On $5,000 project
Entry Level
15%
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Mid Level
10%
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Top Level
5%
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Top Level advantage: On a $5,000 project, a Top Level designer earns $250 more than Entry Level ($4,750 vs $4,250) — and $500 more per year for every $10,000 in annual 99designs revenue compared to Entry. Level upgrades have a compounding effect on income over time.
How 99designs fees work
99designs charges a platform fee based on your designer level — a tiered credentialing system that rewards experience and platform engagement. Entry Level designers pay the highest fee (15%), which decreases to 10% (Mid Level) and 5% (Top Level) as you build reputation and demonstrated quality on the platform.
Unlike most platforms where the fee percentage is the same for everyone, 99designs creates a financial incentive to build your reputation within the platform ecosystem. Reaching Top Level doesn't just bring more client visibility — it significantly increases your earnings by reducing platform costs.
The client introduction fee — what it is and who pays it
When a client works with a designer for the first time on 99designs, a client introduction fee applies: 20% of the first $500 of the project value, capped at $100. This fee is charged to the client, not deducted from the designer's earnings. On a $1,000 project with a new client, the client pays an additional $100 introduction fee on top of the project price and the 5% client platform fee.
The introduction fee is waived for all subsequent projects with the same client. It's designed to offset 99designs' cost of client acquisition and is analogous to a referral fee — but one the client pays rather than the freelancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 99designs take from designers in 2026?
15% for Entry Level, 10% for Mid Level, and 5% for Top Level designers. These are the fees deducted from your project earnings. Clients pay separate fees (5% platform fee + one-time introduction fee for new clients). Designer level is determined by 99designs based on accumulated projects, ratings, and portfolio quality.
Does the intro fee reduce my earnings on 99designs?
No. The client introduction fee (20% of first $500, max $100) is charged to the client — it increases what they pay, but doesn't reduce what you receive. Your earnings are only affected by the platform fee on your side (5%–15% depending on level). The introduction fee is a one-time charge that disappears for all future projects with that client.
How do you reach Top Level on 99designs?
Top Level status is earned through demonstrated quality and experience on the platform. Key factors include completing projects successfully, maintaining high client ratings, winning or placing in contests, and building a strong portfolio. 99designs reviews levels periodically. There is no fixed number of projects required — it's assessed holistically by the platform.
How does 99designs compare to Fiverr and Upwork for designers?
99designs is design-specialist, which means more targeted clients but less volume than general platforms. Top Level designers at 5% are better positioned than Fiverr (20% flat) and comparable to or better than Upwork (0–15% variable). Entry Level at 15% is worse than Upwork's typical 10% but better than Fiverr. For established designers, 99designs' level system creates a meaningful path to lower fees than Fiverr can ever offer.