An Airbnb host-fee estimate starts with two figures: the booking subtotal before deductions and the fee percentage that applies to that reservation. Use the calculator below to see the deduction in pounds, then compare it with the actual earnings statement.
Which percentage should a UK host enter?
Airbnb's service-fee guidance says most single-fee hosts pay 15.5%, while other rates exist. Airbnb is moving home hosts away from split fees; older reservations can retain their original fee structure. A historical 3% example therefore should not be treated as the current rate for every listing.
The fee base includes nightly charges and host-added fees, excluding taxes and the guest service fee. Airbnb says its displayed service fee includes VAT where applicable. Check the reservation's fee and VAT invoice before adding any VAT yourself.
Worked example: £600 booking subtotal
These are fictional arithmetic examples, using an effective fee rate with no additional VAT adjustment:
| Input or result | 15.5% example | Historical 3% comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation plus host charges | £600.00 | £600.00 |
| Host fee | £93.00 | £18.00 |
| Subtotal after that fee | £507.00 | £582.00 |
The calculation is £600 × 0.155 = £93. The difference between the two fee deductions is £75. Neither remaining amount is profit: cleaning costs, mortgage or rent, refunds, co-host payments and other expenses still need their own records.
Why a 15.5% price rise does not cancel a 15.5% fee
For an illustrative target of £600 after a 15.5% deduction, divide by the remaining share: £600 ÷ 0.845 ≈ £710.06 before the fee. Increasing £600 by 15.5% gives £693; after a 15.5% deduction that leaves approximately £585.58.
This is a pricing calculation under fixed assumptions, not a recommended nightly rate. A real listing still needs to account for guest demand, taxes, discounts and any other deductions. Do not change historical booking records to match a new pricing target.
Host fees and Edinburgh tourist tax are different calculations
The council's September 2026 guidance distinguishes commission according to the initial accommodation transaction. A platform deduction does not automatically reduce the accommodation price used for levy purposes. Keep the original accommodation charge, host fee and collected levy separately identifiable.
For example, if a statement shows £600 before a £93 host fee, do not import £507 as the accommodation charge just because it reached your bank. First identify what the £600 includes, including cleaning, taxes and any extras. Use the Edinburgh calculation guide for the levy calculation and the Airbnb reconciliation guide to compare expected and collected levy.
Check an actual reservation
Open the transaction in Airbnb Earnings and find its service fee. Keep the booking breakdown beside the payout record. Divide the charged fee by the appropriate subtotal and multiply by 100 to check the effective percentage. If the numbers differ from this tool, investigate adjustments and rounding before assuming either record is wrong.
When preparing a quarterly return, preserve this breakdown in your working file. The Airbnb import page explains which records to bring into Visitor Levy Calculator.