Con packing checklist
Tick off everything for con day, from the repair kit to the snacks.
Pack for a conHow much will your cosplay cost?
Add up every part in this free cosplay budget calculator and see what the whole build will cost.
Price it part by part
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Use numbers only, like 25 or 12.50.
What cosplays usually cost
It depends on the costume. A closet cosplay built from clothes you own or find secondhand can stay under $50. A typical sewn costume with a wig often lands between $100 and $300, and detailed armor or prop-heavy builds can go past $500.
The biggest differences come from the wig, the amount of fabric, and how much you make yourself versus buy ready-made.
Estimate your budget, step by step
Start from your reference images and list everything the character wears and carries, from head to toe. Then price each part: check two shops if you can, and add shipping, because it often adds more than people expect.
Finally, add a buffer for mistakes. A seam that has to be redone or a paint job that needs a second coat costs real money, and a 15% buffer covers most of it.
Tori's tip
Price the wig first. It's often the most expensive single part, and it's the one people notice first.
Where budgets sneak over
Shipping and customs on parts ordered from abroad, buying fabric twice after a cutting mistake, and rush delivery in the last week before a con are the usual surprises.
New tools are another one. A heat gun or a glue gun you buy for this build counts toward its budget, but you only buy it once, so your next build gets cheaper.
Spend less without cutting corners
Start with what you already own and what you can find secondhand. Buy the parts that are hard to make well, like wigs, shoes and contact lenses, and make the parts that matter most to you.
Restyle wigs from earlier builds, share tools with friends, and order early so you never pay for rush shipping.
Tori's tip
Keep your receipts in one place. After two or three builds, your real numbers make the next estimate much easier.
Questions cosplayers ask
Short answers before you start.
Is this cosplay budget calculator free?
Yes. It's free, needs no account, and your list stays in your browser on this device.
How big should my buffer for mistakes be?
15 to 20% covers most builds. Use 15% by default, 20% if you're working with a new material or ordering a lot from abroad, and 10% if you're mostly buying ready-made parts.
Should I count tools in my cosplay budget?
Count the tools you buy for this build, like a heat gun or a glue gun. They come out of this budget once, and they make the next build cheaper.
Does the calculator remember my list?
Yes, on this device and in this browser, until you clear it. In a private window it can't save, so print or copy your list before you close it.
How do I track what I actually spend while I build?
Costori, our free cosplay planner for iPhone, keeps a shopping list for each cosplay that adds up what you've bought and what's still left to buy.
Try another free tool
Each one takes a minute and works right on your phone.
Ready for the whole build?
Checklists, references, progress photos, a shopping list that adds up and countdowns to your cons. Free to download on the App Store.
