How to price nail fills
Most nail techs set their fill price as a percentage of their full set - usually 60 to 70 percent - without checking whether that number actually covers their costs. This guide shows you how to calculate your fill price independently so you know the rule is right for your situation.
What makes fills different from full sets
A fill (also called an infill or refill) repairs and extends an existing set of acrylic or hard gel nails. Compared to a full set, fills typically use fewer supplies - you are building on existing product, not starting from scratch. But the time required is often close to a full set. Many clients' nails grow out unevenly, lift at the edges, or break before the appointment, which adds time to the service.
Why the 60-70% rule may not be right for you
The fill ratio rule is a rough benchmark - not a cost calculation. If your full set price is $95 and your fill is $57 (60%), that only works if $57 covers your fill-specific supplies, your time, and your overhead. If fills take 60 minutes and your hourly target is $45, your time cost alone is $45 before any supplies or overhead. The rule can leave you below cost if your fill appointments run long.
Supply costs for fills
Fills use fewer supplies than full sets - you are not applying a full layer of tips or acrylic from scratch. Typical fill supply costs include: acrylic for the fill-in area only, rebalancing product if nails have grown significantly, gel polish if refreshing the color, and nail prep products. Estimate $3-$6 per fill appointment depending on how much product growth needs to be addressed.
Fill appointment time
An efficient fill on a well-maintained set takes 45-60 minutes for most experienced techs. Add 10-15 minutes if the client has a break or lift to repair. Factor your actual average fill time - not the ideal - into the price calculation.
Example: fill cost breakdown
At a $45/hr target, a 60-minute fill has a $59 cost floor. Charging $57 (the 60% rule on a $95 full set) is below break-even. The rule works only if fills are faster or your hourly target is lower.
When to charge more for a fill
Charge more if: the client has significant lifting or breakage that adds repair time; the client wants a shape change during the fill; more than 3 weeks have passed since the last appointment; or the client has damaged nails from improper removal. Have a clear policy visible at booking so clients know what triggers a higher fill charge.
Calculate your fill price floor
Enter your real fill time, supplies, and overhead to see your exact fill price floor. Free for one service - no card required.
Open the nail tech pricing calculatorNail fill pricing questions
Is the 60-70% fill rule always correct?
No - it is a guideline, not a cost calculation. The ratio is only right for your business if it happens to match your actual fill costs. Calculate your fill price floor independently first, then check whether the ratio aligns. For many techs with an hourly target above $40, the fill price floor exceeds what the rule would produce.
Should fills always take less time than a full set?
In theory, yes - fills use less product and skip tip application. In practice, the time difference is often smaller than expected. Clients arrive with varying degrees of growth, lifting, and breakage. Track your actual average fill time before setting your price.
What if a client's nails are in bad shape and the fill takes as long as a full set?
Charge accordingly. If the appointment runs to full-set time because of repairs or significant growth, you are delivering full-set labor. Have a clear policy that heavy repairs are billed at the full set rate or as a fill plus a repair fee, and communicate this at booking.
Should I charge the same for gel fills and acrylic fills?
Not necessarily. Gel fills and acrylic fills may have different supply costs and time profiles. Calculate each independently. Many techs find gel fills are slightly faster, which can support a slightly lower price while still covering costs.
How do I raise my fill price without scaring clients away?
Give 30 days notice, explain briefly that costs have increased, and keep the tone factual and warm. Clients who value your work and rely on regular fills are rarely surprised - they know costs go up. If you have been undercharging significantly, consider a phased increase over two or three cycles.
Calculate your fill price floor
Enter your real fill time, supplies, and overhead to see your exact fill price floor. Free for one service - no card required.
Open the nail tech pricing calculatorPricing examples use illustrative cost figures for a typical US market at a $45/hr target. Your actual fill time, supplies, and overhead will vary. This is not financial or tax advice.