ThredUp is a US online consignment and thrift store. You send a bag of clothes in a Clean Out Kit, and ThredUp inspects, photographs, prices and lists what it accepts. When an item sells, you earn a percentage of the sale price, and that percentage rises with the price. A $14.99 service fee per bag is taken from your earnings. In 2026, ThredUp also opened a Direct Seller beta with a 0% seller fee.
At a glance
| What it is | Online consignment for clothing |
| Service fee | $14.99 per bag or clean out label, taken from earnings |
| Payout | A percentage of the sale price that rises with price |
| Low-priced items | Items selling for $5 to $19 earn 3% to 15% |
| Unaccepted items | Recycled, or returned for a fee if you choose |
| New option | Direct Seller beta with a 0% seller fee (2026) |
How it works
You order a Clean Out Kit, fill it with clothes, shoes and accessories in good condition, and send it back with the prepaid label. ThredUp’s warehouse processes the bag, decides what to accept, prices each item and lists it. You track your items in your seller dashboard and earn when they sell.
What you earn
Earnings are a percentage of the final selling price. On items selling between $5 and $19, ThredUp’s own payout table shows a share of 3% to 15%, or about $0.15 to $3. The percentage climbs for higher-priced items, so designer and premium brands earn far more than mall brands. Discounts on your items lower the payout too.
The service fee
ThredUp charges $14.99 per 30lb bag or clean out label, plus any other fees applied to your bag, and deducts it from your earnings. If you send mostly low-value clothes, that fee can take most of what you make.
The Direct Seller beta
In 2026, ThredUp opened a Direct Seller beta, where you list your own items with photo tools that remove backgrounds and suggest descriptions. It launched with a 0% seller fee and ThredUp handling returns, so it works more like a peer-to-peer app than consignment.
Getting paid
Consignment earnings can be paid in cash or as ThredUp shopping credit, and some partner kits pay as brand gift cards. Credit and partner options usually come with a bonus, so they suit people who shop there.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistake is sending a bag of low-value fast fashion and expecting real money. Send fewer, better items: known premium brands, in excellent condition, in season.
Getting started
If you try consignment, start with one bag of your best pieces only, and check ThredUp’s list of accepted and ineligible brands before you send. Use the payout estimator on the cleanout page to see what each price range earns.
Is it worth it?
For premium brands you’ll never list yourself, it can be. For a bag of ordinary clothes, donating or using a fee-free app often makes more sense.
Owen’s take
ThredUp is about convenience, not profit. If you’d rather not list anything yourself, it beats letting clothes sit in a closet, but only better brands earn meaningful money.
Who it suits
It suits busy people with good-quality branded clothes and no time to list them. It suits less well anyone hoping to earn real money from everyday clothing.
Similar options
- The RealReal consigns luxury items.
- Vinted lets you sell without seller fees.
- Poshmark lets you list fashion yourself.
- Depop suits vintage and streetwear.
More options are in Reselling.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No listing work on consignment
- Higher share on premium items
- New 0% fee Direct Seller option
Cons
- $14.99 fee per bag
- Very low share on cheap items
- Little control over prices
FAQ
How much does ThredUp pay?
A percentage of the sale price that rises with price; $5 to $19 items earn 3% to 15%.
Is there a fee to sell on ThredUp?
Yes, $14.99 per bag or clean out label, taken from your earnings.
What happens to items ThredUp doesn’t accept?
They are recycled, or returned to you if you choose that option.
Can I list items myself on ThredUp?
Yes, through the Direct Seller beta launched in 2026.
Is ThredUp available outside the US?
Consignment covered here is for US sellers.
