Why gross up?
If a platform and payment processor take fees from the total raised, the public goal must be higher than the net amount you need to deliver.
Example
If production and fulfillment need 25,000, a 10% contingency raises net need to 27,500. With 8% combined fees, the public goal needs to be about 29,891 to leave that amount after fees.
Common mistakes
Do not set the public goal equal to production cost alone. Shipping, packaging, failed payments, refunds, taxes and support work can all reduce what is left to deliver the project.
Limitations
This calculator does not forecast demand, tax obligations, platform-specific fee tiers, pledge cancellations, stretch goals or currency conversion.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17