Sales Commission Calculator
Model your comp plan: base, variable, quota attainment and accelerators. Instant results, nothing uploaded.
OTE = $100,000 at 100% attainment. At 90% attainment this plan pays $96,000. Model is a simple single-accelerator plan; layered tiers, decelerators and caps vary by company.
The math behind the calculator
Base commission rate = variable ÷ quota. Below the accelerator threshold, commission = revenue × base rate. Above it, each extra dollar pays base rate × the multiplier. Your effective rate is total commission ÷ total revenue — useful for comparing offers with different splits. For the ten most common plan designs and when each makes sense, read sales commission structures explained, and see the glossary for terms like accelerator, OTE and clawback.
Comp plans and gamification work together
Commission is the engine; gamification is the tachometer. Layer short-term energy on top of the plan with a contest or SPIFF, and make daily progress visible on a live leaderboard — reps push hardest when they can see the payoff and the race at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
How is sales commission calculated?+
The most common structure divides your variable compensation by your quota to get a base commission rate. If your variable is $40,000 and quota is $800,000, the rate is 5%. You earn that rate on every dollar you close, and many plans multiply it by an accelerator (like 1.5×) on revenue closed beyond 100% of quota.
What is a commission accelerator?+
An accelerator is a higher commission rate that kicks in after you pass a threshold, usually 100% of quota. It rewards over-performance: with a 5% base rate and a 1.5× accelerator, every dollar past quota pays 7.5%. Companies use accelerators because revenue beyond quota is disproportionately profitable.
What does OTE mean?+
OTE stands for on-target earnings: base salary plus the variable compensation you'd earn at exactly 100% quota attainment. A '$100k OTE' role with a 60/40 split pays a $60,000 base and $40,000 in commission if you hit quota exactly. See our glossary for a deeper explanation.
Is this calculator accurate for my specific comp plan?+
It models the most common structure: single rate with one accelerator threshold. Real plans can add tiers, decelerators below threshold, caps, kickers, and clawbacks. Use it for directional planning and always confirm against your official comp plan document.
More free tools: live leaderboard, contest builder, all calculators.