How to use it
- Enter your base USD price and how many copies you expect to sell (or already sold).
- Adjust the average reduction from seasonal sales and regional pricing. Most copies of most games are sold at a discount.
- Add refunds, a publisher's share and your income tax if they apply.
Where the money goes
Gross "price × copies" figures look great on social media but they hide several layers. Discounts and lower regional prices reduce the average price paid. In many countries the price shown already includes VAT, which goes to the government. Some players refund. Then Steam takes its share, which drops from 30% to 25% after $10M and to 20% after $50M in revenue for a title. Many indie developers end up with roughly 40–60% of the headline number before their own income taxes.
Reading the result
Use the waterfall to see which assumption moves the result most. For small games, the discount and refund settings usually matter more than anything else, because the revenue tiers only kick in at very large numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Steam's cut still 30%?
The standard share is 30%, with lower rates on revenue above $10M and $50M, per Valve's tiers announced in 2018. Check the Steamworks documentation for the terms on your own agreement.
What about withholding tax?
If you're outside the US, part of your US sales may be subject to withholding depending on your country's tax treaty. Enter the rate that applies to you, and confirm it with an accountant.
How do I estimate copies sold?
Use our wishlist and review based sales estimator for a starting point.