PayPal Fee Calculator
Work out the fee and what you keep on a PayPal payment, or the exact amount to request so you receive a target. Rates are editable, so you can use the ones on your own fee schedule.
Estimate only. PayPal changes its fees and they vary by account, country and payment type, so check your own fee schedule on PayPal's website. This is not financial or tax advice.
How to Use the PayPal Fee Calculator
- Choose a mode: Receiving Money shows the fee and net on a payment; Want Exact Amount shows how much to request so you receive a target.
- Enter the amount: the payment amount, or the net amount you want to receive.
- Set your rate: pick an example rate or type the percentage and fixed fee from your own PayPal fee schedule.
- Add the international surcharge if it applies: tick the box and edit the surcharge percentage if yours differs.
- Read the results: the fee, the net amount, the amount to request and the effective fee rate update instantly.
The calculator opens with 3.49% + $0.49 filled in as an example rate. It is a starting point, not a statement of what your account is charged, so replace it with the figures on your own fee schedule before you rely on the answer.
What You'll Discover
- Net amount — what lands in your account after the percentage and the fixed fee are taken out of the payment.
- Fee — the percentage fee plus the fixed fee, rounded to the nearest cent.
- Amount to request — in Want Exact Amount mode, the smallest payment (to the cent) that leaves you with at least your target after fees.
- Fee as % of payment — the real, all-in cost, which is higher than the headline percentage on small payments because of the fixed fee.
- Rate used — the percentage and fixed fee that produced the result, including the international surcharge when ticked.
If the fixed fee is larger than the payment, the net amount shows as negative, because the fee would exceed what was paid. The calculator does not model currency conversion, refunds, chargebacks or any monthly charges.
Formula
Every result comes from two short formulas. Rate is the percentage as a decimal (3.49% is 0.0349):
Fee = Payment × Rate + Fixed fee
You receive = Payment − Fee
Working backwards to a target
To receive a set amount, solve for the payment. The fee is charged on the whole payment, including the part that covers the fee itself, so the percentage sits in the denominator:
Payment to request = (Target + Fixed fee) ÷ (1 − Rate)
International payments
When the international box is ticked, the surcharge percentage is added to the percentage fee before the formulas run. At 3.49% plus a 1.5% surcharge, the rate used is 4.99%.
Worked examples
These use the example rate of 3.49% + $0.49 that the calculator opens with.
- Receive $100: $100 × 0.0349 = $3.49, plus $0.49 = $3.98 fee, so you keep $96.02.
- Receive exactly $100: ($100 + $0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $104.1239, so request $104.12. The fee on $104.12 is $4.12, leaving $100.00.
- International $100 at 4.99% + $0.49: $4.99 + $0.49 = $5.48 fee, so you keep $94.52.
- 40 sales of $75 in a month: each fee is $2.6175 + $0.49 = $3.11 (rounded), so 40 sales cost $124.40, about 4.15% of the $3,000 sold.
How a Percentage Plus a Fixed Fee Works
Most payment fees have two parts: a percentage of the payment, and a fixed charge that applies whatever the size. The percentage scales with the sale. The fixed charge does not, and that is why the same rate costs very different amounts as a share of the sale.
The all-in cost is the rate plus the fixed fee divided by the payment. With 3.49% + $0.49, a $5 payment pays $0.66, which is 13.2% of the sale. A $100 payment pays $3.98, or 3.98%. By $5,000 the fee is $174.99, or 3.5%, almost exactly the headline percentage. The fixed fee barely matters on large sales and dominates small ones.
| Payment | Fee | You receive | Fee as % of payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $0.66 | $4.34 | 13.2% |
| $10 | $0.84 | $9.16 | 8.4% |
| $25 | $1.36 | $23.64 | 5.44% |
| $50 | $2.24 | $47.76 | 4.48% |
| $100 | $3.98 | $96.02 | 3.98% |
| $500 | $17.94 | $482.06 | 3.59% |
| $1,000 | $35.39 | $964.61 | 3.54% |
| $5,000 | $174.99 | $4,825.01 | 3.5% |
The table uses the calculator's example rate of 3.49% + $0.49. Swap in your own figures and the same pattern holds: the smaller the sale, the larger the share the fixed fee takes. If you sell low-priced items, the fixed fee is the number to watch. You can check any of these figures with the percentage calculator by dividing the fee by the payment.
Charging Enough to Receive an Exact Amount
If you quote a price and need to receive it in full, adding the fee to the price is not enough. The fee is charged on the larger payment, so it grows as you raise the price. The correct method divides by one minus the rate, which is what Want Exact Amount mode does.
Two shortcuts that look reasonable both fall short. Adding the percentage to the price (target × 1.0349) ignores the fixed fee. Adding the fee you computed on the target ignores the fee on the extra. At $100, adding 3.49% gives a $103.49 payment, a fee of $4.10 and only $99.39 received. Adding the $3.98 fee from the $100 example gives $103.98, a fee of $4.12 and $99.86 received. Only $104.12 leaves exactly $100.00.
| Target | Price if you add only the % (target × 1.0349) | You would receive | Correct amount to request |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $51.75 | $49.45 | $52.32 |
| $100 | $103.49 | $99.39 | $104.12 |
| $250 | $258.73 | $249.21 | $259.55 |
| $500 | $517.45 | $498.90 | $518.59 |
| $1,000 | $1,034.90 | $998.29 | $1,036.67 |
Figures use 3.49% + $0.49. The shortfall from the shortcut is small on any one payment but adds up across a month of sales. If you want to cover fees by raising prices, work from the net amount you need, then check how the new price looks after any promotion using the discount calculator.
Comparing Rates: When a Lower Fixed Fee Wins
Two rates can each be cheaper in a different range. A rate with a high percentage and a tiny fixed fee beats a rate with a low percentage and a large fixed fee on small payments, and loses on large ones. The break-even payment is the fixed-fee gap divided by the percentage gap:
Break-even = (Fixed fee A − Fixed fee B) ÷ (Rate B − Rate A)
Suppose plan A is 5% + $0.05 and plan B is 3.49% + $0.49 (a hypothetical pair, for illustration). The break-even is ($0.49 − $0.05) ÷ (0.05 − 0.0349) = $29.14. At $20, A costs $1.05 and B costs $1.19. At $40, A costs $2.05 and B costs $1.89. Below about $29, A is cheaper; above it, B is.
| Example rate | Fee on $10 | Fee on $100 | Fee on $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.29% + $0.09 | $0.32 | $2.38 | $22.99 |
| 2.90% + $0.30 | $0.59 | $3.20 | $29.30 |
| 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.30 | $2.99 | $29.90 |
| 2.99% + $0.49 | $0.79 | $3.48 | $30.39 |
| 3.49% + $0.49 | $0.84 | $3.98 | $35.39 |
| 4.99% + $0.49 | $0.99 | $5.48 | $50.39 |
These are the example rates in the calculator's drop-down, shown to demonstrate how the arithmetic behaves; they are not a list of what any account pays. To compare with a different processor, enter that processor's percentage and fixed fee here, or use the Stripe fee calculator for the same payment.
Rates, Sources and What This Calculator Leaves Out
PayPal publishes its merchant fee schedule on its own website, and the schedule differs by country, currency, payment type and account arrangement. It also changes over time. Check PayPal's fee page for the rates that apply to you, then type them into the percentage and fixed-fee boxes. The example rates in the drop-down are starting points for the arithmetic, not a quotation of any account's pricing.
The calculator models one thing: a percentage plus a fixed fee on a single payment, with an optional surcharge for international payments. It does not include currency conversion spreads, refunds, chargeback or dispute charges, instant transfer or withdrawal fees, or any taxes on the fee. Treat the result as an estimate for pricing and planning, and confirm against your PayPal transaction records. Nothing here is financial, legal or tax advice.
How Much Is the PayPal Fee If...
Each answer uses the calculator's example rate of 3.49% + $0.49 unless it says otherwise. Change the rate in the calculator to match your own schedule.
How much is the fee if I receive a $100 payment?
At 3.49% + $0.49, a $100 payment has a $3.98 fee, so you receive $96.02. The percentage part is $100 × 0.0349 = $3.49, and the fixed fee adds $0.49. The fee is 3.98% of the payment.
How much is the fee if I receive $50?
A $50 payment has a $2.24 fee at 3.49% + $0.49, leaving $47.76. The percentage part is $1.745 and the fixed fee is $0.49, which rounds to $2.24. That is 4.48% of the payment, higher than on $100 because the fixed fee is spread over less money.
How much is the fee if the payment is only $10?
A $10 payment has an $0.84 fee, so you receive $9.16. The fixed $0.49 alone is 4.9% of the sale, and with the percentage the total comes to 8.4%. Small payments are where the fixed fee hurts most.
How much is the fee if I sell something for $1,000?
A $1,000 payment has a $35.39 fee, leaving $964.61. The percentage part is $34.90 and the fixed fee adds $0.49. That is 3.54% of the payment, very close to the headline percentage.
How much should I request if I want to receive exactly $100?
Request $104.12 to receive exactly $100.00 at 3.49% + $0.49. The formula gives ($100 + $0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $104.1239. The fee on $104.12 is $4.12, and $104.12 − $4.12 = $100.00. Asking for $103.49 or $103.98 leaves you short.
How much should I request if I want to receive exactly $500?
Request $518.59 to receive exactly $500.00 at 3.49% + $0.49. The fee on $518.59 is $18.59, and $518.59 − $18.59 = $500.00. Adding only 3.49% ($517.45) would leave you with $498.90.
How much is the fee if the buyer is in another country?
With a 1.5% international surcharge the rate becomes 4.99% + $0.49, so a $100 payment has a $5.48 fee and you receive $94.52. To receive exactly $100 on that payment you would request $105.77. Tick the international box and edit the surcharge if your schedule uses a different figure. Currency conversion, if any, is separate and not included.
How much is the fee if the payment is smaller than the fixed fee?
A $0.40 payment at 3.49% + $0.49 has a $0.50 fee, which is more than the payment, so the net is −$0.10. The calculator shows the negative result as it is. In practice, a payment this small is not worth accepting at a rate with a fixed fee of that size.
How much is the fee if my rate is 2.99% with no fixed fee?
A $100 payment at 2.99% + $0.00 has a $2.99 fee, so you receive $97.01. Choose the 2.99% + $0.00 example, or type 2.99 and 0 into the boxes. With no fixed fee, the effective rate stays at about 2.99% at every payment size.
How much is the fee if I raise my price by the fee percentage?
Raising a $100 price by 3.49% to $103.49 still leaves you $0.61 short at 3.49% + $0.49: the fee is $4.10 and you receive $99.39. The percentage uplift does not cover the fixed fee or the fee on the extra $3.49. Use Want Exact Amount mode to find the full amount ($104.12 here).
People Also Search For
How to calculate PayPal fees by hand
Multiply the payment by the percentage rate, add the fixed fee, and subtract the total from the payment. For $100 at 3.49% + $0.49: $100 × 0.0349 = $3.49, plus $0.49 = $3.98, and $100 − $3.98 = $96.02. Convert the percentage to a decimal first, and round the fee to the nearest cent at the end.
How to calculate what to charge so I receive a set amount
Add the fixed fee to your target and divide by one minus the percentage rate. For a $100 target at 3.49% + $0.49: ($100 + $0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0349) = $100.49 ÷ 0.9651 = $104.12. Dividing, rather than multiplying, is what accounts for the fee on the fee.
Why is the effective fee rate higher on small payments
The fixed fee is spread over a smaller amount, so it takes a bigger share. A $0.49 fixed fee is 0.49% of $100 but 4.9% of $10. Effective rate ≈ percentage + (fixed fee ÷ payment). If most of your sales are small, the fixed fee matters more than the percentage.
How to compare PayPal with another payment processor
Put the same payment amounts through both rates and compare the fee and the net, not just the headline percentage. Enter your PayPal rate here, then use the Stripe fee calculator or the Etsy fee calculator for the other side. Compare at your typical order value and at your smallest order, since a lower percentage can lose to a lower fixed fee on small sales.
How to build PayPal fees into your prices
Decide the net amount you need per sale, then use Want Exact Amount mode to find the price that delivers it. If your prices include VAT or sales tax, work out the tax-inclusive price first with the VAT calculator, and check whether your fee is charged on the tax-inclusive total. The calculator applies your rate to whatever amount you type.
Are PayPal fees tax deductible
Transaction fees on business sales are commonly treated as a business expense, but whether you can deduct them depends on your country and tax status. Keep your PayPal transaction and fee reports for your records, and ask an accountant or tax professional about your own situation. This page is not tax advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PayPal fee calculator work?
It applies a percentage plus a fixed fee to the payment you enter, rounds the fee to the nearest cent, and subtracts it to show what you receive. In Want Exact Amount mode it works backwards: it finds the smallest payment, to the cent, that leaves you with at least your target after the fee.
How much does PayPal charge per transaction?
It depends on the payment type, your country and currency, and your account, and PayPal changes its fees from time to time. PayPal publishes its schedule on its own website, so check your own fee schedule and type the percentage and fixed fee into the calculator. The 3.49% + $0.49 it opens with is only an example starting point.
Are the example rates in the drop-down PayPal's official rates?
No. They are example starting points that let you see how the arithmetic behaves, and they are not a quote of what any account pays. Fees vary by account and change over time, so replace them with the figures from your own PayPal fee schedule before relying on the result.
How do I calculate how much to charge to receive a specific amount?
Use Want Exact Amount mode and enter the net amount you want. The calculator uses (target + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − rate). At 3.49% + $0.49, a $100 target needs a $104.12 payment, and a $500 target needs $518.59. Simply adding the fee percentage to your price leaves you slightly short.
Why is the fee percentage higher on small payments?
Because the fixed fee is the same whatever the payment size. At 3.49% + $0.49, a $10 payment pays 8.4% in total, a $100 payment pays 3.98%, and a $5,000 payment pays 3.5%. The fee as a percentage of the payment approaches the headline percentage as the payment grows.
How is the international surcharge handled?
When you tick the international box, the surcharge percentage is added to the percentage fee before anything else is calculated. The surcharge box starts at 1.5%, so 3.49% becomes 4.99%. Edit it if your schedule shows a different figure. The fixed fee is unchanged.
Does the calculator include currency conversion fees?
No. It does not model exchange-rate spreads or conversion charges. If a payment is converted to another currency, the cost of that conversion comes on top of the fee shown here, so check PayPal's published conversion terms and your transaction records.
Does it include refund, chargeback or withdrawal fees?
No. The calculator covers a single payment with a percentage and a fixed fee. Refunds, chargebacks and dispute charges, instant transfers and withdrawals are outside what it models, so look up how each applies to your account on PayPal's website.
Can I use it for a processor or platform other than PayPal?
Yes, for any fee that is a percentage plus a fixed amount per payment. Type the percentage and fixed fee into the boxes. For platform-specific fee structures, there are dedicated tools such as the Stripe fee calculator and the Etsy fee calculator.
Why might my actual fee differ from the calculator by a cent?
The calculator rounds the fee to the nearest cent, with half a cent rounding up. If your fee schedule or transaction report rounds differently, or your rate has more decimal places than you entered, the fee can differ by a cent. The effect is small but can add up across many payments.
What happens if the payment is smaller than the fixed fee?
The fee is larger than the payment, so the net amount is negative. For example, a $0.40 payment at 3.49% + $0.49 has a $0.50 fee and a net of −$0.10. The calculator shows this as it is, so you can see when a payment is too small to be worth taking.
Are PayPal fees tax deductible?
Fees on business sales are commonly recorded as a business expense, but deductibility depends on your country and your tax status. Keep your PayPal fee statements and ask a tax professional about your own situation. This calculator does not give tax advice.
Is my data stored or sent anywhere?
No. All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server or saved, and no account is needed.
Last reviewed: November 2026 — formulas and worked examples verified.