Steam calculates a developer’s share from the Net Revenue shown in its monthly Steam Sales Report—not simply from the game’s consumer-facing price. The report starts with Gross Revenues, subtracts applicable adjustments such as taxes, returns, and chargebacks, then applies the percentage set by the developer’s signed Steam Distribution Agreement. Steam Direct fees, payout timing, bank charges, and tax withholding can also affect what reaches a developer’s account.
How Steam calculates a developer’s share
Steam’s monthly report uses a three-step calculation. Its Reporting and Payments FAQ describes Gross Revenues less Applicable Adjustments as Net Revenue, then applies the revenue-share percentage to that Net Revenue to determine the amount payable.
- Start with Gross Revenues. This is the sales revenue reported before the adjustments used in the monthly report.
- Subtract Applicable Adjustments. Steam identifies taxes, returns, and chargebacks as adjustments. The resulting Net Revenue is the base for the share calculation.
- Apply the contractual percentage. Steam multiplies Net Revenue by the revenue-share percentage in the partner’s signed Steam Distribution Agreement. Applicable withholding taxes may further reduce the payment.
This means a headline share percentage is not necessarily a percentage of the game’s list price or of every dollar a customer pays. The documented formula applies it to Net Revenue after adjustments.
What percentage does Steam take?
The exact base share percentage is set by the Steam Distribution Agreement signed by each partner. The official material cited here does not establish a universal base rate, so developers should check their own agreement or an authoritative Steam statement rather than rely on a general percentage quoted without contractual context.
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Steam’s financial API reference lists additional-share tiers of 5% and 10%, but that listing does not establish the revenue thresholds that trigger them or the base rate. Those figures alone cannot determine what a particular game qualifies for. Steam’s Finance documentation and the signed agreement are the relevant references for a partner’s terms.
Which apps can accrue additional revenue share?
Steam’s documentation says additional revenue share accrues to apps classified as “Game” or “Application.” Package composition affects how sales are attributed:
- If a package includes a Game or Application app alongside DLC, music, or another app type, Steam attributes the package sale to the Game or Application app.
- If a package contains only DLC, Steam attributes its revenue to the parent app when that parent is classified as a Game or Application.
These attribution rules and the listed tier values do not reveal the tier thresholds. Check the current terms that apply to the specific partner and product before forecasting revenue.
How the Steam Direct fee works
Steam currently lists a $100 USD Steam Direct fee, or regional equivalent, for each new app. It is nonrefundable, but Steam says it can be recouped in the payment after that product reaches $1,000 in Adjusted Gross Revenue from Steam Store or in-app purchases. The repayment appears as a separate line item on the monthly report. See Steam’s Steam Direct documentation.
The $1,000 recoupment threshold is distinct from Steam’s $100 minimum payout threshold. The former concerns repayment of the app fee; the latter is an amount below which Steam may hold a payment. Valve also says it may withhold sales revenue and fee repayment if the deposit payment is charged back, refunded, or otherwise identified as fraudulent.
Why do partner-site sales differ from the monthly report?
Steam distinguishes near-real-time sales information on the secure partner site from the monthly Steam Sales Report. The ad-hoc information may show gross amounts without deducting adjustments, while the monthly report is where Gross Revenues, Applicable Adjustments, Net Revenue, and the share calculation are presented. Partners can find monthly reports under Reports in the secure Steamworks partner site and export them.
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When does Steam pay, and by what method?
Steam says it pays by the 30th of the month following the sales month, once the partner’s required bank and tax information has been completed and verified. Payments are electronic funds transfers in US dollars: ACH for US payments and USD SWIFT wire for payments outside the US. The cited Steam FAQ does not offer other payment methods.
Steam may hold a payment until the $100 minimum has been earned; partners can configure a payment-hold threshold in Steamworks. The amount deposited can differ from the report total if an intermediary or receiving bank charges fees. Steam says it does not pass wire fees to partners, but cannot control fees charged by their banks. See the Reporting and Payments FAQ for payment details.
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How do taxes and withholding affect the payment?
Tax withholding is separate from a developer’s overall tax liability. Steam’s tax FAQ says the US-source portion of a partner’s revenue share can be relevant to withholding and annual tax reporting. It gives 30% withholding as a possible rate for a non-US taxpayer without an applicable US tax-treaty benefit; this is not a universal deduction for all developers. The amount depends on the partner’s tax interview and circumstances. Steam advises partners to consult their own tax advisers about their obligations. See Steam’s tax FAQ.
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What to check before estimating Steam revenue
- Use the monthly report’s Net Revenue and adjustments, rather than treating the consumer’s list price as the share base.
- Read the signed Steam Distribution Agreement for the applicable base share and any tier terms.
- Account separately for the per-app Steam Direct fee and its recoupment conditions.
- Check the partner’s tax and bank details, payout threshold, payment timing, and possible bank charges.
- For games sold in packages or with DLC, verify the app classifications and attribution rules that apply.
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