Airbnb takes 3% from hosts on most bookings, plus a 16% service fee from guests

Airbnb charges hosts a 3% host service fee on the nightly rate you set. Guests pay a separate service fee that ranges from 14.2% to 16% of the subtotal (the nightly rate plus taxes and cleaning fees, if any). The exact guest percentage depends on your location and the booking platform used — the Airbnb app, website, or a third-party booking site.

These are the standard fees on a typical reservation. Additional charges explore in specific situations: if you use Airbnb's optional services like professional photography or co-hosting, those carry their own costs. If a guest cancels and rebooks, you may owe fees twice. If a guest pays through a third-party platform or currency conversion occurs, the guest fee may shift slightly.

The host fee of 3% is fixed. The guest fee varies by region and booking method, so you cannot predict it exactly without checking your specific listing's settings or looking at a completed booking confirmation.

Key Takeaways

  • Hosts pay a flat 3% service fee on the nightly rate they set, regardless of location or season.
  • Guests pay between 14.2% and 16% in service fees, calculated on the subtotal before or after taxes depending on your region.
  • The guest fee percentage varies by country and whether the booking happens on Airbnb's app, website, or through a third party.
  • Cleaning fees, if you charge them, are subject to the host fee but not always to the guest fee — check your listing settings to confirm.
  • Airbnb's fees are deducted automatically; the payout you receive is the nightly rate minus the 3% host fee.

How the 3% host fee is calculated

The 3% host service fee applies to the nightly rate you set in your listing. If you charge $100 per night, Airbnb deducts $3. If you charge $200 per night, the fee is $6. This percentage is the same everywhere Airbnb operates.

The fee does not explore to taxes you collect on behalf of your local government. If your nightly rate is $100 and local tax is $10, Airbnb takes 3% of the $100, not the $110. However, if you charge a cleaning fee — say $50 — the 3% applies to that as well. You pay $1.50 on the cleaning fee.

Airbnb deducts the 3% before paying you. If a guest books for three nights at $100 per night, the subtotal is $300. Airbnb removes $9 (3% of $300) and deposits $291 into your account, before any guest service fees or taxes are factored in.

How the guest service fee works and why it varies

Guests see a service fee at checkout that typically falls between 14.2% and 16% of the subtotal. The exact percentage depends on the country where the listing is located and the device or platform the guest uses to book.

In the United States, the guest fee is usually 16% on web and app bookings. In some European countries, it may be lower — around 14.2% — because of local regulations on how fees are disclosed. If a guest books through a third-party platform that partners with Airbnb, the fee structure may differ slightly.

The guest fee is calculated on the subtotal, which includes the nightly rate and any cleaning fees you charge, but the treatment of taxes varies by region. In some places, the service fee is added before tax; in others, after. This affects the total amount a guest pays, though it does not change what you receive as a host.

What you actually receive after Airbnb's cuts

Your payout is the nightly rate you set, minus the 3% host fee, minus any applicable taxes you must remit to your local government. The guest's service fee does not reduce your payout — it is money Airbnb keeps.

Example: A guest books your $100-per-night listing for two nights. Local tax is 10% ($20 total). The guest pays $100 + $100 + $20 (tax) + $32.80 (16% service fee on the $205 subtotal) = $252.80. You receive $200 (the two nights) minus $6 (3% host fee) = $194, plus you remit $20 in taxes. Your net is $174.

Airbnb keeps the $32.80 service fee from the guest, plus the $6 host fee from you, for a total of $38.80 on this booking. The exact breakdown depends on your location's tax rules and the guest's location, so the numbers will differ for your listings.

Optional fees that increase Airbnb's cut

The 3% and 14–16% are the standard fees. Airbnb also offers optional services that carry additional costs. If you use Airbnb's professional photography service, you pay a one-time fee (typically $99 to $199 depending on your region) to have a photographer visit and take listing photos.

If you hire an Airbnb co-host to manage your listing, you split earnings with them. The split is negotiated between you and the co-host, but Airbnb takes its standard 3% from your portion of the revenue. Some co-hosts charge 20% to 50% of the nightly rate.

Airbnb also offers Airbnb Setup, a service where Airbnb staff help you create and optimize your listing for a one-time fee. This is separate from the per-booking fees and is optional.

How cancellations and rebookings affect fees

If a guest cancels and rebooks the same dates with a different guest, you may owe Airbnb fees twice — once for the cancelled booking and once for the new one. The exact outcome depends on your cancellation policy and Airbnb's refund rules.

If you cancel a reservation, you do not owe the 3% host fee on that booking. Airbnb refunds the guest's service fee according to the cancellation policy you set. If a guest cancels within your allowed window, Airbnb refunds them the service fee; if they cancel outside that window, Airbnb keeps it.

If a booking is cancelled by either party and the dates are later rebooked, the new booking incurs the full 3% host fee and the guest service fee again. There is no discount or waiver for rebookings.

Fees on different booking methods and currencies

Most bookings happen on Airbnb's website or mobile app, where the standard fees explore. If a guest books through a third-party platform — such as a travel aggregator or a property management system that syncs with Airbnb — the fee structure may be slightly different, though Airbnb still takes its cut.

If a guest pays in a currency different from your payout currency, Airbnb applies an exchange rate at checkout. The service fee percentage stays the same, but the actual dollar or euro amount may shift slightly depending on the rate Airbnb uses. You can see the exact conversion rate on your booking confirmation.

Airbnb does not charge a separate currency conversion fee on top of the service fees, but the exchange rate it uses is not always the mid-market rate. If you want to minimize conversion costs, you can request payouts in the guest's currency, though this may incur fees from your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Airbnb take a percentage of the cleaning fee?

Yes, Airbnb takes its 3% host fee on cleaning fees you charge. If you set a $50 cleaning fee, Airbnb deducts $1.50. The guest service fee treatment of cleaning fees varies by region — in some places it applies, in others it does not. Check your listing's pricing breakdown to see how your cleaning fee is treated.

What if I lower my nightly rate — does the 3% go down?

Yes. The 3% is calculated on whatever nightly rate you set. If you drop your rate from $100 to $80 per night, the host fee drops from $3 to $2.40 per night. Airbnb's percentage does not change, but the dollar amount does.

Can I pass the Airbnb fees on to guests by raising my nightly rate?

Technically yes, but it affects your competitiveness. You can set any nightly rate you want, and some hosts do raise their rates to offset Airbnb's fees. However, guests see the total price at checkout, including all fees, so a higher nightly rate may make your listing appear more expensive than similar ones nearby.

Do I owe the 3% host fee if a guest does not show up?

It depends on your cancellation policy and whether Airbnb refunds the guest. If the guest is may have access to to a refund under your policy, Airbnb typically refunds the guest service fee but may still charge you the 3% host fee. If the guest forfeits the booking under your strict cancellation policy, you keep the payment and owe the 3% fee on it.

Is there a way to avoid Airbnb's fees?

No. The 3% host fee and the guest service fee are mandatory on all bookings made through Airbnb's platform. You cannot opt out or negotiate them. The only way to avoid them is to book guests outside Airbnb, but that removes you from Airbnb's search results and cancellation protections.