CGTrader Fees in 2026: 26-Level Royalty Tiers, Commission, and Take-Home Calculator
Most new sellers misunderstand CGTrader fees the first time they sell a model.
You list a $50 asset, someone buys it, and you expect... well, $50 minus some fees. But then you check your dashboard and see $30. Wait. Where did the other $20 go?
The answer is CGTrader's 26-level royalty system — a tiered payout structure where new sellers keep just 60% of each sale, while top earners keep up to 85%.
This guide breaks down exactly how CGTrader's royalty system works, what you'll actually take home at different seller levels, and how to calculate your real earnings before you price your next model.
In 2026, CGTrader takes between 15% and 40% commission on each sale, depending on your 26-level royalty tier based on rolling 12-month sales. This guide covers CGTrader fees, royalty levels, payout thresholds, and a calculator to see your real take-home per sale.
Quick Answer: How Much Does CGTrader Take Per Sale in 2026?
| Your Seller Level | Your Royalty Rate | CGTrader's Cut | You Keep (on $50 sale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New seller (Level 1) | 60% | 40% | $30.00 |
| Mid-tier (Level 11) | 70% | 30% | $35.00 |
| Established (Level 16) | 75% | 25% | $37.50 |
| Top seller (Level 26) | 85% | 15% | $42.50 |
CGTrader Royalty Levels (26 Tiers, Rolling 12-Month Sales)
CGTrader uses a rolling 12-month sales total to determine your royalty rate. The more you sell, the higher percentage you keep.
Here's the complete breakdown:
| Level | 12-Month Sales Threshold | Your Royalty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0 | 60% |
| 2 | $100 | 61% |
| 3 | $250 | 62% |
| 4 | $500 | 63% |
| 5 | $1,000 | 64% |
| 6 | $1,500 | 65% |
| 7 | $2,000 | 66% |
| 8 | $3,000 | 67% |
| 9 | $4,000 | 68% |
| 10 | $5,000 | 69% |
| 11 | $7,500 | 70% |
| 12 | $10,000 | 71% |
| 13 | $12,500 | 72% |
| 14 | $15,000 | 73% |
| 15 | $17,500 | 74% |
| 16 | $20,000 | 75% |
| 17 | $25,000 | 76% |
| 18 | $30,000 | 77% |
| 19 | $40,000 | 78% |
| 20 | $50,000 | 79% |
| 21 | $75,000 | 80% |
| 22 | $100,000 | 81% |
| 23 | $125,000 | 82% |
| 24 | $150,000 | 83% |
| 25 | $200,000 | 84% |
| 26 | $300,000+ | 85% |
CGTrader Fees: Key Facts for 2026
- Rolling window: Your level is based on your sales from the past 12 months, not lifetime sales. If you have a slow year, your level can drop.
- No exclusivity required: Unlike some platforms, CGTrader doesn't require exclusivity to earn higher rates.
- Same rate for all model types: Whether you sell game assets, architectural models, or characters, the royalty structure is the same.
- CGTrader's 26-tier table is public, but it's not obvious what each rate means for your real income per sale — that's what this guide and the calculator are for.
What Does This Mean in Real Money?
Let's look at what different seller levels actually mean for your take-home on a $50 model:
Example 1: Brand New Seller (Level 1)
- Sale price: $50
- Your royalty rate: 60%
- You keep: $30.00
- CGTrader keeps: $20.00
Example 2: Growing Seller (Level 11, $7,500+ in 12-month sales)
- Sale price: $50
- Your royalty rate: 70%
- You keep: $35.00
- CGTrader keeps: $15.00
Example 3: Established Seller (Level 16, $20,000+ in 12-month sales)
- Sale price: $50
- Your royalty rate: 75%
- You keep: $37.50
- CGTrader keeps: $12.50
Example 4: Top Seller (Level 26, $300,000+ in 12-month sales)
- Sale price: $50
- Your royalty rate: 85%
- You keep: $42.50
- CGTrader keeps: $7.50
CGTrader vs TurboSquid vs Fab Fees in 2026
How does CGTrader compare to other 3D asset marketplaces?
| Platform | New Seller (2026) | Top Seller | $50 Sale (New) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGTrader | 60% (40% commission) | 85% (15% commission) | $30.00 | 26-tier system based on 12-month sales |
| TurboSquid | 40% base | Up to 80% with SquidGuild | $20.00 | Higher tiers depend on exclusivity and referrals |
| Fab (Epic) | 88% (12% fee) | 88% flat | $44.00 | Same share for all creators |
How to Reach Higher CGTrader Royalty Tiers
- Focus on evergreen assets: Models that sell consistently help maintain your rolling 12-month total
- Price strategically: Sometimes a lower price with more volume beats a higher price with fewer sales
- Build a catalog: More models = more chances for sales = faster tier progression
- Optimize your listings: Good thumbnails, descriptions, and tags improve discoverability
Related Reading
- TurboSquid vs CGTrader 2026 — which 3D marketplace pays more?
- TurboSquid Fees Explained 2026 — full SquidGuild tier breakdown
- Fab Fees Explained 2026 — how Fab's 88% share really works
- Unity Asset Store Fees 2026 — flat 30% commission explained
{{faq}}
[{"question": "How much commission does CGTrader take?", "answer": "CGTrader takes 15-40% commission on each sale in 2026, depending on your 26-level royalty tier based on rolling 12-month sales. New sellers start at Level 1 (60% payout, 40% commission) and can progress to Level 26 (85% payout, 15% commission) as their sales grow."}, {"question": "What is CGTrader's royalty rate for new sellers?", "answer": "New sellers on CGTrader receive 60% of each sale (40% commission) in 2026. This is the Level 1 rate that applies until you reach $100 in rolling 12-month sales."}, {"question": "How does CGTrader's tier system work?", "answer": "CGTrader uses 26 royalty levels based on your rolling 12-month sales, ranging from 60% payout ($0 sales) to 85% ($300,000+ sales). Your level is recalculated based on your sales over the past 12 months, so maintaining consistent sales is important to keep higher rates."}, {"question": "Can I lose my CGTrader seller level?", "answer": "Yes. CGTrader uses a rolling 12-month window, so if your sales drop, your level can decrease. A seller who earned $25,000 last year but only $10,000 this year would drop from Level 17 to Level 12."}, {"question": "Does CGTrader require exclusivity for higher rates?", "answer": "No. Unlike some competitors, CGTrader's royalty tiers are based purely on sales volume, not exclusivity agreements. You can sell on multiple platforms while still progressing through CGTrader's tiers."}]
Calculate Your Real CGTrader Take-Home
Use the CGTrader fee calculator to see your real CGTrader royalty rate, commission percentage, and take-home pay for any model price in 2026.
Then compare CGTrader with TurboSquid, Fab, and other 3D marketplaces using the marketplace fee comparison tool to decide where your models earn more after every fee.