ACX Audiobook Royalty Splitter & Narrator Earnings Calculator

Split ACX audiobook royalties between author and narrator instantly. Compare Royalty Share, RS+, and Per-Finished-Hour deals with accurate 2025 ACX rates.

Mathematical Audit

ACX Royalty Split Formula

ACX royalty calculations depend on your distribution model and deal structure between author and narrator.

Exclusive Royalty = Sale Price × 50% (new model) or 40% (legacy)
Non-Exclusive Royalty = Sale Price × 30% (new model) or 25% (legacy)
Royalty Share (Author) = Total Royalty × 50%
Royalty Share (Narrator) = Total Royalty × 50%
RS+ Author Net = (Total Royalty × 50%) − Narrator Upfront Fee
PFH Deal (Author) = Total Royalty − (Finished Hours × PFH Rate)

ACX introduced a new royalty model in 2024. Under Royalty Share, both parties share equally in the ACX payout rate. RS+ (Royalty Share Plus) includes a smaller upfront narrator fee plus an equal royalty split. Contracts lock for 7 years under Royalty Share deals.

Operational Guide

How to Use the ACX Royalty Splitter

1

Choose your deal type

Select Royalty Share (RS), Royalty Share Plus (RS+), or Per-Finished-Hour (PFH). RS means no upfront cost but a split. PFH means full narrator fee upfront but you keep all royalties.

2

Set your distribution model

Choose Exclusive (50% royalty, Audible/Amazon/Apple only) or Non-Exclusive (30% royalty, wider distribution allowed).

3

Enter audiobook details

Input the estimated monthly unit sales, average sale price, and finished audio length in hours (for PFH deals).

4

Add narrator fee (for RS+ and PFH)

Enter the narrator's per-finished-hour rate. Industry standard for experienced narrators ranges from $150 to $400 per finished hour.

5

Review your split breakdown

See the monthly and annual earnings breakdown for both author and narrator, with upfront costs vs. long-term royalty projections.

Real-World Scenario Example

"An author uses Royalty Share Exclusive on a 6-hour audiobook priced at $19.99, expecting 200 monthly sales."

Inputs

dealType:royalty-share
distribution:exclusive
monthlySales:200
salePrice:19.99
finishedHours:6
narratorPFHRate:0

Result

Monthly royalty pool: $1,999. Author earns $999.50/month, Narrator earns $999.50/month. Annual author earnings: $11,994.

Important Disclaimer

These estimates are for educational purposes. Actual ACX royalties depend on the specific pricing model Audible applies, member vs. non-member sales, and promotional pricing adjustments. ACX is transitioning to a new pooled royalty model; consult ACX directly for current rates.

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Sources & References

ACX and Audible for Indie Authors: Royalties and Pitfalls - ScribeCount

https://scribecount.com/author-resource/audiobook-creation-guide/acx-for-indie-authors

ACX Audiobook Royalties: How Much Do You Get Paid? - Daniel J Tortora

https://danieljtortora.com/blog/acx-audiobook-royalties-get-paid