PayPal Fee Calculator
Calculate PayPal transaction fees for goods & services, friends & family, and international payments.
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$104.12
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About This Calculator
The PayPal Fee Calculator shows exactly how much PayPal charges for any transaction type—goods and services, personal transfers, international payments, and more. With standard commercial rates at 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction and international fees reaching 4.49%+ (PayPal Business Fees), understanding these costs is essential for freelancers, small businesses, and online sellers. This calculator computes your exact fee, net amount received, and the invoice amount needed to receive a specific take-home. PayPal processes over $1.5 trillion in payment volume annually across 400+ million active accounts—knowing how much of that stays in their pocket versus yours is critical for pricing strategies and profitability.
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How to Use the PayPal Fee Calculator
- 1Enter the payment amount you expect to receive (or are invoicing for).
- 2Select the transaction type: standard goods/services, PayPal Checkout, QR code, micropayments, or personal transfer.
- 3Choose domestic (within U.S.) or international transaction.
- 4If international, select the buyer's country for accurate fixed fee calculation.
- 5View the complete fee breakdown: percentage fee, fixed fee, any cross-border fees, and your net amount.
- 6Use the "Calculate Invoice Amount" mode to determine what to charge to receive a specific net amount.
- 7Compare with alternative payment processors to find the lowest-cost option for your business.
2025-2026 PayPal Fee Structure
PayPal charges different rates based on transaction type (PayPal Business Fees):
Domestic U.S. Transactions:
| Transaction Type | Fee Rate | Fixed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Goods/Services | 2.99% | $0.49 |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% | $0.49 |
| Pay with Venmo | 3.49% | $0.49 |
| PayPal Credit | 3.49% | $0.49 |
| QR Code (in-person) | 2.29% | $0.09 |
| Micropayments (<$10) | 4.99% | $0.09 |
| PayPal Invoicing | 3.49% | $0.49 |
| PayPal Here (card reader) | 2.29% | $0.09 |
International Transactions:
| From | Fee Rate | Cross-Border | Currency Conversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 4.49% + fixed | Included | +3-4% |
| Europe | 4.49% + fixed | Included | +3-4% |
| UK | 4.49% + fixed | Included | +3-4% |
| Australia | 4.49% + fixed | Included | +3-4% |
| Other | 4.49% + fixed | Included | +3-4% |
Personal Transfers (Friends & Family):
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic (balance/bank) | FREE |
| Domestic (card) | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| International | 5% (capped at $4.99) |
Note: International transactions from PayPal.com cost an additional 1.5% cross-border fee on top of the base rate.
Fee Calculations with Examples
Understanding how PayPal fees compound is essential for accurate pricing:
Example 1: $100 Domestic Payment (Standard Rate)
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage Fee | $100 × 2.99% | $2.99 |
| Fixed Fee | $0.49 | |
| Total Fee | $3.48 | |
| Net Received | $96.52 | |
| Effective Rate | 3.48% |
Example 2: $50 Domestic Payment (Standard Rate)
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage Fee | $50 × 2.99% | $1.50 |
| Fixed Fee | $0.49 | |
| Total Fee | $1.99 | |
| Net Received | $48.01 | |
| Effective Rate | 3.98% |
Example 3: $200 International Payment (From UK)
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage Fee | $200 × 4.49% | $8.98 |
| Fixed Fee | $0.49 | |
| Currency Conversion | $200 × 3.5% | $7.00 |
| Total Fee | $16.47 | |
| Net Received | $183.53 | |
| Effective Rate | 8.24% |
The Fixed Fee Impact by Transaction Size:
| Payment Amount | Fee (2.99% + $0.49) | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $0.64 | 12.78% |
| $10 | $0.79 | 7.89% |
| $25 | $1.24 | 4.96% |
| $50 | $1.99 | 3.98% |
| $100 | $3.48 | 3.48% |
| $500 | $15.44 | 3.09% |
| $1,000 | $30.39 | 3.04% |
Calculating Invoice Amount for Desired Net
To receive a specific amount after fees, use this formula:
Formula:
Invoice Amount = (Desired Net + Fixed Fee) ÷ (1 - Rate%)
Example: You Want to Receive Exactly $500 Rate: 2.99% = 0.0299 Fixed Fee: $0.49
Invoice Amount = ($500 + $0.49) ÷ (1 - 0.0299) = $500.49 ÷ 0.9701 = $515.90
Verification: Fee: $515.90 × 2.99% + $0.49 = $15.43 + $0.49 = $15.92 Net: $515.90 - $15.92 = $499.98 ✓ (penny rounding)
Quick Reference Table:
| Desired Net | Invoice (Standard) | Invoice (Checkout) |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $26.26 | $26.39 |
| $50 | $52.04 | $52.29 |
| $100 | $103.58 | $104.10 |
| $250 | $258.35 | $259.62 |
| $500 | $515.90 | $518.60 |
| $750 | $773.45 | $777.57 |
| $1,000 | $1,030.90 | $1,036.55 |
| $2,500 | $2,577.25 | $2,591.37 |
| $5,000 | $5,154.00 | $5,182.25 |
For International Payments (4.49% + $0.49 + 3.5% conversion): Use combined rate of approximately 8% for quick estimates. $500 desired → Invoice approximately $545
PayPal Volume Discounts for Businesses
High-volume merchants qualify for reduced rates (PayPal Merchant Rates):
Volume Discount Tiers:
| Monthly Volume | Standard Rate | Savings vs Base |
|---|---|---|
| Under $3,000 | 2.99% + $0.49 | Base rate |
| $3,000-$10,000 | 2.59% + $0.49 | 0.40% |
| $10,000-$100,000 | 2.29% + $0.49 | 0.70% |
| $100,000+ | 1.99% + $0.49 | 1.00% |
Annual Savings at Volume:
| Monthly Sales | Base Fees | Discounted Fees | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000/mo | $1,795 | $1,555 | $2,880 |
| $10,000/mo | $3,540 | $2,810 | $8,760 |
| $25,000/mo | $8,775 | $6,225 | $30,600 |
| $50,000/mo | $17,500 | $11,950 | $66,600 |
How to Qualify:
- Apply through PayPal Business account settings
- Maintain consistent volume for 3+ months
- Keep dispute rate below 1%
- Complete PayPal's business verification
Nonprofit Rates: Registered 501(c)(3) organizations qualify for:
- 2.2% + $0.30 for domestic transactions
- Reduced international rates
- Requires verification of nonprofit status
PayPal vs. Alternative Payment Processors
How does PayPal compare to other payment options?
Fee Comparison (Domestic, No Volume Discount):
| Processor | Rate | Fixed Fee | $100 Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Standard | 2.99% | $0.49 | $3.48 | Established brand trust |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% | $0.49 | $3.98 | Website integration |
| Stripe | 2.9% | $0.30 | $3.20 | Developer-friendly |
| Square | 2.6% | $0.10 | $2.70 | In-person + online |
| Venmo Business | 2.99% | $0.49 | $3.48 | Younger demographics |
| Zelle | Free | Free | $0 | Bank transfers only |
| Cash App Business | 2.75% | $0 | $2.75 | Simple transactions |
| Apple Pay | 2.9% | $0.30 | $3.20 | Apple ecosystem |
International Fee Comparison:
| Processor | International Rate | Currency Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 4.49% + $0.49 | 3-4% |
| Stripe | 3.9% + $0.30 | 1% |
| Wise (TransferWise) | 0.5-1.5% | Mid-market rate |
| Payoneer | 2-3% | 2% |
When to Use Each:
| Scenario | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Online sales, buyer trust matters | PayPal | 400M+ accounts, buyer protection |
| Developer/startup | Stripe | Superior API, documentation |
| In-person retail | Square | Hardware + software integration |
| International freelancers | Wise | Lowest currency conversion |
| Quick personal payments | Venmo/Zelle | Instant, low/no fees |
Strategies to Minimize PayPal Fees
Reduce your PayPal costs with these proven strategies:
1. Use QR Code Payments When Possible
| Method | Fee | $100 Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2.99% + $0.49 | — |
| QR Code | 2.29% + $0.09 | $1.10 |
Monthly savings at $10,000: $110
2. Qualify for Volume Discounts Consolidate payment processing through PayPal to hit volume tiers faster.
3. Pass Fees to Customers Legal in most U.S. states with proper disclosure:
- Add "Processing Fee" line item
- Build into product pricing
- Offer discount for bank transfer/check
4. Use PayPal Here for In-Person 2.29% + $0.09 vs. 2.99% + $0.49 = 1.1% savings
5. Invoice via PayPal.me Instead of Invoices PayPal.me links use standard 2.99% rate vs. 3.49% invoicing rate.
6. Avoid Currency Conversion
- Request payment in your local currency
- Use Wise for multi-currency accounts
- Set up PayPal to hold foreign currencies
7. Batch Small Payments Instead of 10 × $10 payments (10 × $0.79 = $7.90 fees): Accept 1 × $100 payment ($3.48 fee) Savings: $4.42
8. Request Friends & Family for Legitimate Personal Use Only appropriate for actual personal transfers, not business circumvention.
PayPal Refunds, Disputes, and Fee Implications
Understanding how fees work during refunds and disputes protects your margins:
Refund Fee Policy:
| Scenario | Percentage Fee | Fixed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full Refund (before Jan 2024) | Returned | Kept |
| Full Refund (current) | Returned | Kept ($0.49) |
| Partial Refund | Pro-rated return | Kept |
| PayPal Dispute (you win) | Kept | Kept |
| PayPal Dispute (you lose) | Returned | Kept |
Refund Loss Example ($100 sale, then refunded):
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Original sale | $100.00 |
| PayPal fee (2.99% + $0.49) | -$3.48 |
| You received | $96.52 |
| Refund issued | -$96.52 |
| Percentage fee returned | +$2.99 |
| Fixed fee NOT returned | -$0.49 |
| Net loss from refund | -$0.49 |
Dispute/Chargeback Fees:
| Outcome | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dispute opened | $0 |
| Dispute lost | $20 chargeback fee |
| Unauthorized transaction | $0 (seller protection) |
Protecting Your Business:
- Ship with tracking to addresses on file
- Respond to disputes within 10 days
- Keep communication records
- Use signature confirmation for orders $750+
- Document product condition before shipping
Pro Tips
- 💡Use QR code payments for in-person transactions—2.29% + $0.09 saves $1.10 per $100 compared to standard rates.
- 💡Calculate your invoice amount using the formula: (Desired Net + $0.49) ÷ 0.9701 to receive exactly what you need after fees.
- 💡Consolidate payment volume through PayPal to qualify for discounts—$3,000+/month reduces your rate to 2.59%.
- 💡Avoid PayPal Invoicing (3.49%) when possible—send PayPal.me links for standard 2.99% rate instead.
- 💡Request payment in your local currency for international transactions to avoid the 3-4% currency conversion fee.
- 💡Batch small payments together when possible—ten $10 payments cost $7.90 in fees vs. $3.48 for one $100 payment.
- 💡Track fees monthly in PayPal Reports—they typically represent 3-5% of gross revenue and are fully tax-deductible.
- 💡Compare alternatives: Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) and Square (2.6% + $0.10) often beat PayPal on per-transaction cost.
- 💡Use signature confirmation for orders over $750 to qualify for PayPal Seller Protection and avoid dispute losses.
- 💡Build a 0.5% "refund buffer" into pricing—PayPal keeps the $0.49 fixed fee even when you issue full refunds.
- 💡Use PayPal business account for seller protection - personal accounts do not qualify for dispute resolution benefits.
- 💡Enable address verification for all transactions to strengthen your position in payment disputes.
- 💡Consider PayPal Credit for B2B transactions - buyers can finance purchases, increasing average order value.
- 💡Review PayPal reserves policy before high-volume sales - new accounts may have 30% of funds held for 21 days.
- 💡Connect PayPal to your accounting software for automated fee tracking and tax preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
PayPal charges 2.99% + $0.49 per domestic U.S. transaction for goods and services. PayPal Checkout (website button) costs 3.49% + $0.49. International transactions cost 4.49% + fixed fee plus 3-4% currency conversion if applicable. On a $100 domestic sale, expect $3.48 in fees, receiving $96.52.
