Calculate your cash payout based on current market rates
Please enter a valid card value.
%
Please enter a valid rate between 0 and 100.
Gross Value:0.00
Exchange Deduction (0%):-0.00
Platform Fees:-0.00
Net Payout:0.00
You retain 0% of the card's original value.
Understanding Gift Card Rates
When selling or trading unwanted gift cards, the "rate" is the most critical factor determining how much cash or cryptocurrency you receive. Unlike cash, gift cards are typically sold at a discount to their face value. This Gift Card Rate Calculator helps you quickly determine the net payout you will receive from various exchange platforms, pawn shops, or online marketplaces.
How the Calculation Works
The calculation for selling a gift card is straightforward but involves accounting for the market rate and any potential service fees:
Face Value: The original amount of money loaded onto the card (e.g., $100).
Exchange Rate (%): The percentage of the face value a buyer is willing to pay. Popular cards like Amazon or Apple might command rates of 80-90%, while less common store cards might trade at 60-70%.
Platform Fees: Some exchanges charge a fixed fee or an additional percentage for processing the transaction.
Why Do Exchange Rates Vary?
The rate you are offered for a gift card fluctuates based on supply and demand logic similar to currency markets. Key factors include:
Brand Popularity: High-demand cards (Steam, Razer Gold, Google Play) often have higher exchange rates because they are easier to resell or use.
Card Type: Physical cards sometimes have different rates than E-codes due to security verification processes.
Market Saturation: If a specific brand floods the market (often after holidays), the buy rate may drop temporarily.
Currency Volatility: For international trades (e.g., trading USD cards for NGN or GHS), the fiat currency exchange rate also impacts the final payout.
Tips for Getting the Best Rate
To maximize your return when selling a gift card, compare rates across multiple trusted platforms. Avoid selling immediately if the market rates are unusually low. Always check if the platform charges "hidden" withdrawal fees that might eat into your calculated profit. Using this calculator allows you to see the exact loss spread before you commit to a trade.
function calculatePayout() {
// Clear previous errors
document.getElementById('valueError').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('rateError').style.display = 'none';
document.getElementById('result-area').style.display = 'none';
// Get Input Values
var faceValueInput = document.getElementById('cardFaceValue').value;
var rateInput = document.getElementById('exchangeRate').value;
var feeInput = document.getElementById('platformFee').value;
// Parse Values
var faceValue = parseFloat(faceValueInput);
var rate = parseFloat(rateInput);
var fee = parseFloat(feeInput);
// Validation Flags
var isValid = true;
// Validate Face Value
if (isNaN(faceValue) || faceValue <= 0) {
document.getElementById('valueError').style.display = 'block';
isValid = false;
}
// Validate Rate
if (isNaN(rate) || rate 100) {
document.getElementById('rateError').style.display = 'block';
isValid = false;
}
// Handle optional fee (default to 0 if empty/NaN)
if (isNaN(fee)) {
fee = 0;
}
if (!isValid) {
return;
}
// logic: Net Payout = (Face Value * (Rate / 100)) – Fee
var grossPayout = faceValue * (rate / 100);
var deductionAmount = faceValue – grossPayout; // The value lost due to rate
var netPayout = grossPayout – fee;
// Ensure net payout doesn't go below zero
if (netPayout 0) {
retention = (netPayout / faceValue) * 100;
}
// Update UI
document.getElementById('displayGross').innerHTML = faceValue.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('deductionPercent').innerHTML = (100 – rate).toFixed(1);
document.getElementById('displayDeduction').innerHTML = '-' + deductionAmount.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayFee').innerHTML = '-' + fee.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('displayNet').innerHTML = netPayout.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('retentionRate').innerHTML = retention.toFixed(1);
// Show Results
document.getElementById('result-area').style.display = 'block';
}