PayPal Fee Calculator
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PayPal takes a percentage of each payment plus a fixed fee. For a $100 PayPal Checkout payment at 3.49% + $0.49, the fee is $3.98 and you receive $96.02. To keep at least $100, charge $104.13.
The payment, or the amount you want to keep.
| Payment | $100.00 |
| Percentage fee (3.49%) | $3.49 |
| Fixed fee | $0.49 |
| Total fee | $3.98 |
| You receive | $96.02 |
| Effective fee rate | 3.98% |
Show steps
- Fee = amount x rate + fixed fee = $100.00 x 3.49% + $0.49 = $3.98.
- You receive = $100.00 – $3.98 = $96.02.
How to use the PayPal fee calculator
- Choose whether you want the fee on a payment, or the price to charge so you keep a set amount.
- Enter the amount.
- Pick how the buyer pays. Choose Custom if your account has a different rate.
- Set International to Yes if the buyer is in another country.
- Press Calculate to see the fee, what you receive and the effective rate.
PayPal fee formula
Most PayPal merchant fees have two parts: a percentage of the payment and a fixed fee per payment.
- Fee = amount × rate + fixed fee
- You receive = amount − fee
- Amount to charge = (amount you want + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − rate)
The last formula reverses the fee. Adding the fee to the amount you want is not enough, because PayPal also takes a percentage of the extra you add.
US PayPal merchant rates used here
| How the buyer pays | Rate |
|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout (goods and services) | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Standard credit and debit card payments | 2.99% + $0.49 |
| Expanded Checkout card payments | 2.89% + $0.29 |
| Pay with Venmo | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Pay Later | 4.99% + $0.49 |
| QR code and in-person card payments | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| International commercial payments | Add 1.50% |
Personal payments to friends and family are free in the US when they are funded by a PayPal balance or bank account. When a card pays for a personal payment, the sender pays a card fee. Converting currencies adds a separate spread of 3% to 4%.
Worked examples
| Payment | Fee | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| $100 PayPal Checkout | 100 × 3.49% + 0.49 = $3.98 | $96.02 |
| $250 card payment | 250 × 2.99% + 0.49 = $7.97 | $242.03 |
| $100 PayPal Checkout from abroad | 100 × 4.99% + 0.49 = $5.48 | $94.52 |
| $20 QR code sale | 20 × 2.29% + 0.09 = $0.55 | $19.45 |
Charging to keep $100: (100 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0349) = 104.12…, so charge $104.13. The fee on $104.13 is $4.12, which leaves $100.01.
Why small payments cost more
The fixed fee is the same on every payment, so it is a bigger share of a small sale. At 3.49% + $0.49, a $5 payment loses $0.66, or 13.3%, while a $500 payment loses $17.94, or 3.6%. If you sell many small items, a lower fixed fee can matter more than a lower percentage.
Common mistakes
- Adding the fee on top. Charging $100 + $3.98 = $103.98 leaves $99.86, because PayPal takes a fee on the $3.98 too. Use the gross-up formula.
- Forgetting the international add-on. A buyer in another country adds 1.50% to the rate.
- Treating the fee as a refund. When you refund a buyer, PayPal does not return the fixed fee, so a refund still costs you money.
PayPal fee practice quiz: 10 questions
Test yourself with 10 multiple-choice questions. Choose an answer and press Submit to see if you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.
Fee = 60 × 0.0299 + 0.49 = 1.794 + 0.49 = 2.284, which rounds to $2.28.
The percentage applies to the whole charge, including the amount you added. Use (amount + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − rate).
(50 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0299) = 50.49 ÷ 0.9701 = 52.046…, so charge $52.05. The fee is $2.05 and you keep $50.00.
PayPal adds 1.50% for international commercial transactions, on top of the domestic rate.
The $10 sale pays $0.84, or 8.4%. The $1,000 sale pays $35.39, or about 3.5%. The fixed $0.49 weighs more on small sales.
Domestic personal payments funded by a PayPal balance or bank account are free. Merchant fees apply to payments for goods and services.
Effective rate = fee ÷ payment = 3.98 ÷ 100 = 3.98%. It is higher than 3.49% because of the fixed $0.49.
Quiz complete
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal take from $100?
For a US PayPal Checkout payment at 3.49% + $0.49, PayPal keeps $3.98 and you receive $96.02. A standard card payment at 2.99% + $0.49 costs $3.48.
How do I calculate the PayPal fee?
Multiply the payment by the percentage and add the fixed fee: fee = amount × rate + fixed fee. Subtract the fee from the payment to get what you receive.
How much should I charge to cover PayPal fees?
Add the fixed fee to the amount you want to keep and divide by 1 minus the rate. To keep $100 at 3.49% + $0.49, charge (100 + 0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $104.13.
Does PayPal charge for friends and family payments?
Not inside the US when the money comes from a PayPal balance or bank account. Paying with a card, sending abroad or converting currencies can add fees.
Do PayPal fees change?
Yes. PayPal updates its rates from time to time and some businesses have custom pricing. Use the Custom option to enter the rate on your account.
Sources
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