TikTok Shop Affiliate Commission Rates 2026: Comparison + Profit Calculator
Published on January 29, 2026
If you’re comparing TikTok Shop affiliate (creator) commission rates, the key is to model them on top of TikTok Shop’s platform referral fee. A “10% commission” can erase profit faster than most sellers expect — especially at low AOV.
Quick answer: model referral fee + affiliate commission as combined take rate, then compare net profit at the same price and cost inputs.
Quick comparison table (example)
Example order: sale price $50, COGS $20, standard referral fee 6%, affiliate commission rate varies.
| Affiliate commission | Commission $ | Referral fee (6%) | Profit (no other costs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $2.50 | $3.00 | $24.50 |
| 10% | $5.00 | $3.00 | $22.00 |
| 15% | $7.50 | $3.00 | $19.50 |
This is a simplified example to compare rates. Your referral fee category, discount, taxes, refunds, and shipping costs can change the result.
How to compare affiliate commission rates (practical checklist)
- Confirm what the commission rate is applied to (item price, order subtotal, or a program-specific base).
- Model the platform referral fee separately (it’s charged by TikTok Shop and is not the same as affiliate commission).
- Run 3 scenarios: a low commission (e.g. 5%), your target (e.g. 10%), and a high case (e.g. 15%).
- Compare net profit and effective fee rate (fees ÷ revenue), not just the commission %.
Use the calculator for scenarios
Open an example scenario (10% commission modeled as a $5.00 per-order cost) and adjust your rate, category, and costs:
Open TikTok Shop calculator (example 10% commission)
For the referral fee formula and promo/refund rules, also read:
FAQ
Is TikTok Shop referral fee the same as affiliate commission?
No. Referral fee (sometimes called platform commission) is charged by TikTok Shop. Affiliate/creator commission is what you pay creators for attributed sales and it reduces your net profit on top of platform fees.
What commission rate should I use for profit calculations?
Use the rate you set in your affiliate program or the campaign rate you agreed with a creator. If rates vary, model best/typical/worst cases (for example 5%, 10%, 15%).
What is the fastest way to compare commission offers?
Compute an effective take rate: (referral fee + affiliate commission + other per-order costs) ÷ revenue, then compare net profit and margin across scenarios with the same price and cost inputs.