Calculators
Contingency Fee Calculator
Calculate a contingency lawyer's fee and the client's net recovery, with a higher trial percentage and costs deducted before or after the fee.
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The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
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What people use it for
- Understanding a contingency agreement
- Estimating take-home from a settlement
- Comparing law firm terms
- Explaining fees to clients
About this tool
What the Contingency Fee Calculator does
Under a contingency fee agreement the lawyer is paid a percentage of the recovery, often around a third, rising if the case goes to trial. Whether case costs come out before or after the fee is calculated changes what the client receives, so this calculator shows both.
Formula
- Fee = (gross − costs if deducted first) × contingency %
- Client net = gross − fee − costs
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross recovery | $150,000 |
| Contingency percentage | 33.33% |
| Case went to trial | No |
| Percentage if tried | 40% |
| Case costs advanced | $6,500 |
| Costs deducted | After the fee (from client share) |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Client net recovery | $93,505 |
| Lawyer’s fee | $49,995 |
| Client share of gross | 62.3% |
| Fee percentage applied | 33.3% |
How to read the result
Deducting costs before the fee gives the client more; check which method your agreement uses.
Medical liens and other liens are paid from the client’s share; use the settlement payout calculator to include them.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws and court practice vary by jurisdiction; consult a qualified lawyer.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
Often around 33% to 40%, sometimes on a sliding scale, and capped by law in some areas.
Usually not the fee, but agreements differ on whether you repay case costs.
Often yes, especially for strong or high-value cases.
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