How to Sell on Depop: Photos, Prices and Shipping Without Losing Money

Your closet is full of things you don’t wear, and someone out there is searching for exactly that hoodie. Depop is one of the easiest ways to sell clothes online, but plenty of first-time sellers end up underpricing, paying too much for shipping or getting scammed in the DMs.

Here’s how to sell on Depop from your first listing to your first package, without losing money along the way.

Can you sell on Depop as a teen?

Depop’s terms of service say you have to be at least 13 to use it. Getting paid means connecting a payment account and a bank account, so if you’re under 18, set your shop up together with a parent. Read the current terms in the app before you start, because the rules for payments can be stricter than the rules for browsing.

If you don’t have your own account yet, see how to open a bank account under 18 and our guide to a debit card for teens.

How much does Depop take?

According to Depop, sellers in the US pay no selling fees, but standard payment processing fees still apply to each sale. Buyers pay a separate marketplace fee of up to 5% of the item price plus up to $1. That one is the buyer’s cost, not yours.

Fees change, so before you set prices, open the fee breakdown Depop shows when you list an item and check what you’ll actually take home.

Step 1: Pick what to sell

• Things in good condition: no stains, holes or pilling, or flaws you describe honestly.
• Brands people search for. Before you list, search the brand on Depop and see how many similar items are up and at what prices.
• Not sure what’s worth it? Vintage pieces, sports jerseys and band tees are worth checking: search them on Depop and see how many similar ones are listed and for how much.
• Skip anything you’d be embarrassed to receive. One bad review hurts a new shop more than one missed sale.

Step 2: Take photos that sell

1. Use daylight. Stand near a window during the day and turn off the ceiling light. It makes colors look real.
2. Plain background. A white wall, a sheet or the floor. Not your messy bedroom.
3. Show it on. Worn photos (you can crop out your face) help buyers picture the fit. Flat lays work too.
4. Take every angle: front, back, the tag, the fabric up close and any flaw.
5. Make the first photo the best one. It’s the only one people see while scrolling.

Step 3: Write a listing people can find

Buyers search Depop by words, so your title and description are how they find you. Include:

• Brand, item type, color and size: “Levi’s 501 jeans, light wash, W28”
• Measurements: pit to pit for tops, waist and inseam for pants. Sizes vary a lot between brands.
• Condition, honestly. “Good condition, small mark on the left sleeve (see photo 5).”
• A few words people actually search, like “vintage,” “y2k” or “oversized,” but only if they’re true.

Step 4: Price it right

• Look up similar items on Depop and see what they’re listed for. Price in the same range for the same condition.
• Leave a little room to haggle. If a buyer asks for a lower price, you can say yes and still be happy.
• Factor in fees. Use the breakdown in the app so a $10 sale doesn’t turn into $7 after costs.
• Drop the price after a few weeks if nothing’s happening, instead of leaving it up forever.

Step 5: Ship without losing money

In the US, Depop offers Depop Shipping through USPS, which it recommends and says is free for sellers: you get a prepaid label to print and stick on the package. You can also arrange shipping yourself and set your own rates, but then a wrong weight or size is your money.

• Weigh the item before you list it so you pick the right shipping option.
• Reuse packaging: mailers and boxes from your own online orders work fine.
• Ship fast. Quick shipping gets better reviews, and reviews get more sales.
• Keep your receipt or tracking number until the buyer has the package.

Avoid scams

• Never take payment outside the app. Anyone asking you to use another payment app or to email them is a red flag, and you lose the platform’s protection.
• Don’t click links in DMs that claim to be from Depop asking you to “verify” or “confirm payment.”
• Ship only after the sale shows in the app, and only to the address on the order.

Looking for more ways to earn? Here’s how to make money as a teen and our list of online jobs for teens.

Questions people ask