What this calculator does
Affiliate links pay you a commission when people buy after clicking. This calculator estimates monthly and yearly commissions from your clicks, the share of clicks that end in a purchase (conversion rate), the average order and your commission rate, minus orders that are returned or canceled. It also shows earnings per click (EPC) and how many clicks a month reach your goal, and it can pass the yearly amount to the creator tax calculator.
How affiliate income adds up
Purchases = clicks × conversion rate. Sales you referred = purchases × average order, minus the returned share. Commission = sales × your rate. Earnings per click is commission divided by clicks, a handy way to compare links, programs and videos. For example, 5,000 clicks with a 5% conversion rate and a $50 average order give $12,500 in sales; after 5% returns and a 3% rate that is about $356 a month, or 7 cents per click.
Amazon Associates and other programs
Amazon Associates pays a different percentage for each product category, set in its fee schedule, and Amazon changes the rates from time to time. Other stores and networks set their own rates, cookie windows and payment rules. That is why the calculator asks for your own commission rate: look it up in your account rather than relying on lists online, and use a weighted average if your clicks lead to different categories. Your account's reports show your clicks, ordered items and conversion rate.
Rules to follow
- Disclose the relationship. The Federal Trade Commission's Endorsement Guides say that when you earn money from a recommendation, you must disclose it clearly, close to the link or in the video itself, not only on a profile page. Amazon also requires a specific disclosure statement from its Associates.
- Follow the program's policies. Programs set rules about where links may appear, for example in emails or offline, and break them at the risk of losing commissions.
- Report the income. Affiliate commissions are taxable self-employment income even if you receive no tax form.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Amazon affiliates make?
It varies widely with traffic, product category and audience. Multiply your clicks by your conversion rate, average order and commission rate, minus returns. Use the rates for your product categories from your Associates account, since they differ by category and change over time.
What is a good earnings per click?
There is no standard. EPC depends on the price of the products, the commission rate and how ready your audience is to buy. Use it to compare your own links and programs over time.
Do I have to disclose affiliate links?
Yes. Under the FTC Endorsement Guides you must clearly disclose that you earn money from the links, close to the recommendation. Amazon's program also requires a disclosure statement.
How is affiliate income taxed?
For U.S. residents it is usually self-employment income, with self-employment tax plus federal and state income tax. Use the creator tax calculator for a 2026 estimate by state; it is general information, not tax advice.