What percentage does Envato take from exclusive authors?

Exclusive authors (who only sell an item on Envato) receive 62.5% of the sale price, meaning Envato takes 37.5%. Non-exclusive authors receive 45%, with Envato keeping 55%. The exclusivity premium is 17.5 percentage points — a significant incentive to sell exclusively on the marketplace.

Should I sell exclusively or non-exclusively on Envato?

Exclusive selling means Envato can promote your item more prominently, and you earn 62.5% vs 45%. Non-exclusive lets you sell on your own site (Gumroad, Paddle, direct) alongside Envato. If your Envato volume is high and you have no other sales channel, exclusive usually pays more. If you have your own audience, non-exclusive lets you capture 100% of direct sales.

Why does Envato withhold US tax from non-US authors?

Envato is required to withhold US tax (backup withholding at 30%) from non-US authors who haven't submitted a W-8BEN form. Submitting your W-8BEN — which declares your tax residency and applies any tax treaty rate — typically reduces withholding to 0–15% depending on your country. Always complete your tax forms in Envato's author dashboard.

What is the difference between Envato Elements and ThemeForest?

ThemeForest (and CodeCanyon) are per-item marketplaces where buyers pay per item and authors earn a percentage per sale. Envato Elements is a subscription model ($16.50/month) where authors earn a share of the subscription pool based on download counts. Per-item earnings on ThemeForest are generally higher for popular items, while Elements provides steadier recurring income.

Envato / ThemeForest Author Fee Calculator

Calculate your Envato/ThemeForest author earnings based on item sale price and whether you sell exclusively or non-exclusively.

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Frequently asked questions

Envato / ThemeForest Author Earnings Calculator — Exclusive vs Non-Exclusive Payout

Envato marketplace earnings depend heavily on whether you list your items exclusively. Exclusive authors earn 62.5% per sale — non-exclusive authors earn 45%. On a $59 WordPress theme, that's $36.88 vs $26.55 per sale. This calculator shows your exact author earnings and Envato's fee at any price point, for both exclusivity tiers.

Exclusive vs non-exclusive comparison

Instantly see the earnings difference between both tiers at your item's price point.

Author earnings spotlight

Shows both your earnings and Envato's fee percentage clearly.

Any item price

Works for any ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, VideoHive, or AudioJungle item price.

Before listing on Envato, research comparable item prices to understand realistic sales volume. Top-selling themes earn $50,000+/month — but most items earn far less. Exclusivity is most valuable once your item has traction and search visibility within the marketplace.