Stop Guessing Your Profits. Know Exact PayPal Costs Instantly.
PayPal Fee Calculator
You sold an item for $100. Great! But after the PayPal transaction fees, international surcharges, and currency conversion costs, how much of that money actually lands in your bank account?
PayPal is the world’s most popular payment processor, but its fee structure is complex. From standard merchant fees to hidden cross-border charges, seeing your final payout shrink can be frustrating.
Our PayPal Fee Calculator is designed to solve this. Whether you are an eBay seller, a freelancer sending an invoice, or a business using PayPal Checkout, use this tool to calculate your net profit and total processing costs in seconds.
PayPal Fees at a Glance (Current Rates)
PayPal’s pricing model depends entirely on how you accept the payment and where your customer is located. Here is the breakdown used by our calculator to give you precise numbers.
| Transaction Type | Fee Rate | Fixed Fee | Best For |
| Standard Online (Domestic) | 2.9% | + $0.30 | eCommerce stores, invoices, and website checkout. |
| Goods & Services (P2P) | 2.99% | None | Buying/Selling items informally between users (No fixed fee). |
| In-Person (QR Code) | 2.29% | + $0.09 | Physical stores using PayPal QR codes to accept payment. |
| International (Online) | 4.49% | + Fixed Fee | Accepting payments from customers outside your country. |
| Micropayments | 5.0% | + $0.05 | Selling digital goods under $10 (Requires account upgrade). |
| Charity (Registered) | 1.99% | + $0.49 | Verified 501(c)(3) charities accepting donations. |
Deep Dive: Understanding Your PayPal Transaction Fees
To protect your margins, you need to understand the different “fee buckets” PayPal uses.
1. Standard Merchant Fees (The “2.9 + 30” Rule)
This is the most common fee for US businesses.
- The Rate: 2.9% of the transaction amount + $0.30 fixed fee.
- The Scenario: You sell a product on your website for $50.00.
- Percentage: $50.00 × 0.029 = $1.45
- Fixed Fee: $0.30
- Total Fee: $1.75
- You Keep: $48.25
2. International PayPal Fees (The Profit Killer)
If your customer is located in a different country, PayPal adds a “Cross-Border Fee.”
- The Rate: Standard US Rate (2.9%) + 1.50% International Surcharge.
- Total: Roughly 4.49% + Fixed Fee (varies by currency).
- Currency Conversion: If the customer pays in Euros and you receive Dollars, PayPal charges an additional 3.0% – 4.0% currency conversion spread.
3. PayPal “Goods and Services” Fee
Selling a concert ticket to a friend? Or buying a used camera on Facebook Marketplace?
- The Rate: 2.99% (No fixed fee).
- Why it matters: Unlike the standard rate, there is no 30-cent fixed fee, making this cheaper for very small transactions but slightly more expensive for large ones compared to the old standard.
The “Reverse” Calculation: How Much Should You Invoice?
One of the most powerful features of our PayPal Fee Calculator is the ability to calculate backwards.
If you need to receive exactly $500.00 in your pocket, you cannot just invoice your client for $500. If you do, PayPal will deduct fees, and you will receive less.
To receive exactly $500.00 (Domestic):
- You must ask for: $515.24
- PayPal Fee: $15.24
- You Keep: $500.00
Tip: Always use our calculator to check the “You should ask for” amount before sending an invoice to ensure your client covers the processing costs.
Hidden Costs: Micropayments, Disputes & Payouts
1. The Micropayments Secret
If you sell cheap digital items (like $5 ebooks or $2 game skins), the standard $0.30 fixed fee kills your profit.
- The Solution: Apply for PayPal Micropayments.
- The Rate: 5% + $0.05.
- The Math: On a $2.00 sale:
- Standard Fee: $0.06 + $0.30 = $0.36 fee (18% effective rate).
- Micropayment Fee: $0.10 + $0.05 = $0.15 fee (7.5% effective rate).
- Insight: If your average order is under $12, switch to Micropayments to save money.
2. Dispute & Chargeback Fees
If a customer files a chargeback claiming they didn’t authorize the purchase:
- Standard Dispute Fee: $15.00 per instance.
- High Volume Dispute Fee: $30.00 (if your dispute rate is high).
- Note: This fee is non-refundable, even if you win the dispute case, unless you are covered by “Seller Protection.”
3. Instant Transfer Fees
Moving money from your PayPal Balance to your Bank Account is usually free (1-3 days). If you need it instantly:
- Fee: 1.75% of the transfer amount.
- Cap: Maximum fee is $25.00.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the sender or receiver pay the PayPal fee?
In almost all commercial transactions, the receiver (seller) pays the fee. The buyer pays nothing extra unless a currency conversion is involved. However, if you are sending a personal payment using a credit card, the sender pays the fee.
How do I avoid PayPal fees?
- Use “Friends & Family”: Only for actual friends (no buyer protection). This is free if funded by a bank account.
- Request Micropayments: If you sell low-cost items, switch your account rate.
- Bill Clients via Invoice: Include the PayPal fee as a line item in your invoice so the client covers the cost.
What is the PayPal fee for $100?
For a standard domestic US transaction:
- Fee: $3.20
- You Receive: $96.80
Does PayPal refund the fee if I issue a refund?
No. This is a critical policy to understand. If you sell an item for $100, you pay $3.20 in fees. If you refund the customer $100, PayPal keeps the $3.20 fee. You will be out of pocket for that amount.
Is PayPal cheaper than Stripe?
They are very similar. Both charge roughly 2.9% + $0.30 for online credit card processing. However, Stripe has lower international fees (1.5% add-on vs PayPal’s 4.49% total), while PayPal offers better brand trust for retail buyers.
Ready to Price Your Products?
Don’t let processing costs eat your revenue. Scroll up to the PayPal Fee Calculator to see your exact fees and net profit now.