Real Estate Commission Split Calculator
See how a total commission splits between the listing agent and the buyer's agent.
Since the August 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated separately from the listing agreement rather than automatically split down the middle, so the split here does not have to be 50/50. Your entries save in this browser.
Why the split isn't always 50/50
For decades, a single "total commission" rate got split evenly (or close to it) between the listing agent and the buyer's agent, because the split was often set in one MLS field. Since the August 2024 NAR settlement, buyer-agent compensation is negotiated as its own line item, separate from the listing agreement. That means the split you actually agree to can be 60/40, 70/30, or anything else, not just half and half.
How to use this
If you already know the total commission (either as a rate or a dollar amount), enter it and adjust the slider to match your actual split. If you're starting from scratch, use the main real estate commission calculator instead, which lets you set each side's rate independently from the start.
Worked example
A $450,000 sale with a 6% total commission ($27,000), split 55% to the listing agent and 45% to the buyer's agent:
| Side | Share | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Listing agent | 55% | $14,850 |
| Buyer's agent | 45% | $12,150 |
| Total | 100% | $27,000 |
Frequently asked questions
- How is real estate commission split between agents?
- Historically it was close to an even split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent, but since the 2024 NAR settlement that split is negotiated separately for each side rather than assumed to be 50/50. It can be any ratio the two sides agree to.
- What percentage does a buyer’s agent get?
- Nationally, buyer’s agents average about 2.82% of the sale price as of February 2026, though this is now negotiated directly rather than automatically set by the listing agreement.
- Does the seller still pay the buyer’s agent?
- Often, yes. Sellers still choose to offer buyer-agent compensation to keep their listing attractive, but it’s no longer automatic or advertised on the MLS. It’s negotiated as its own item, sometimes paid by the seller, sometimes by the buyer, sometimes split.