PayPal Fee Calculator
Find the PayPal fee and net amount on a payment.
Default 3.49%
Default $0.49
Results update as you type.
How it works
PayPal takes a cut of every payment you receive for goods and services, and this calculator shows exactly how much and what you keep. You enter the payment amount and, optionally, the percentage and fixed fee (defaulting to PayPal's common US rate of 3.49 percent plus 49 cents), and it returns the fee, the net amount, and the effective rate. Like other processors, PayPal combines a percentage of the transaction with a flat fee, so the total is the amount times the rate plus the fixed charge. The fixed fee makes small payments proportionally more expensive: on a large sale it barely matters, but on a small one it can push the effective rate well above the stated percentage. Knowing the net you actually receive is essential for pricing, since to end up with a target amount you must charge enough to absorb the fee. PayPal's rates vary by transaction type, country, and whether the payment is domestic or international; international transactions and currency conversion add extra fees, and rates for micropayments, charities, or in-store payments differ. Personal payments sent as friends and family within some regions may be free, but goods-and-services payments, which offer buyer and seller protection, carry the fee this calculator models. Adjust the percentage and fixed fee to match your specific case. Enter the amount and fee to find the PayPal fee and net.
Fee = amount × percentage + fixed fee
PayPal charges a percentage of the payment plus a fixed per-transaction fee, commonly 3.49 percent plus 49 cents for standard US goods-and-services payments. The fee is the amount times the percentage plus the fixed fee; the net is the payment minus the fee. Small payments carry a higher effective rate because of the fixed portion.
Source:Payment processing fees
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter payment amount.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust percentage fee and fixed fee if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
PayPal fee updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How are PayPal fees calculated?
PayPal charges a percentage of the payment plus a fixed per-transaction fee, commonly 3.49 percent plus 49 cents for standard US goods-and-services payments. The total fee is the amount times the percentage plus the fixed fee, and your net is the payment minus that. The calculator computes the fee, net, and effective rate from your inputs.
Why is the effective rate higher on small payments?
The fixed per-transaction fee is a larger share of a small payment. On a $100 payment the 49-cent fixed fee is minor, but on a $3 payment it is over 16 percent on its own, so the effective rate far exceeds the headline percentage. This makes PayPal, like other processors, relatively costly for very small transactions.
Are friends and family payments free?
In some regions, personal payments sent as friends and family from a linked bank account or PayPal balance are free, but these offer no purchase protection. Goods-and-services payments, which protect both buyer and seller, carry the fee this calculator models. Using friends and family for commercial transactions violates PayPal's terms and forfeits protection.
Do PayPal fees vary by country and transaction?
Yes. PayPal's rates depend on the country, the type of transaction, and whether it is domestic or international. International payments and currency conversion add extra fees, and special rates apply to micropayments, charities, and in-store payments. Adjust the percentage and fixed fee in the calculator to reflect your specific situation for an accurate result.
How much should I charge to cover the fee?
To receive a target net amount, you must charge more than the target so the fee can be deducted. Add the fixed fee to your target, then divide by one minus the percentage rate, to find the amount to request. Testing values in the calculator shows how much to charge so your net matches what you need.