Starts with a 3.49% + $0.49 planning preset. Edit both values for the PayPal pricing that applies to your transaction.
Calculation details
Planning estimate only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify assumptions and current rules before making decisions.
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Use this result
Share the current inputs or ask ChatGPT to explain the calculation in context.
What does this calculator estimate?
A PayPal fee calculator shows what a payment costs. Enter the amount, rate, and fixed fee to see the fee and net received.
- Fee = amount × rate + fixed
- $100 × 2.99% + $0.49 = $3.48
- Rates vary by country and transaction type
How PayPal fees work
PayPal charges a percentage plus a fixed fee per transaction — the rate varies by country, currency, and transaction type (goods & services vs friends & family, which is free in some regions but risky for sellers). The calculator applies the rate to the amount.
Limitations to watch for
Rates change and vary internationally — check PayPal's current merchant rates. Cross-border and currency-conversion transactions add charges. Chargebacks and hold policies are separate. Some sellers pass fees to buyers via surcharges (where legal).
How to use it in practice
Enter the payment amount and your effective rate. Price your goods so the fee comes out of the price — or add a checkout surcharge where allowed. Compare PayPal against Stripe and other processors on your typical ticket size.
['Enter the payment amount.', 'Enter the rate and fixed fee (from your account).', 'Read the fee and net.']
How PayPal fees work
PayPal's standard rate for US merchant transactions is 2.99 percent plus a fixed fee (about $0.49 for domestic US payments). A $100 payment costs $3.48 — $2.99 plus $0.49. The calculator applies the percentage and fixed fee to the amount.
The fee math for received vs. sent
For goods and services payments, the recipient pays the fee. For friends-and-family transfers in the US, domestic sends are typically free but funded by the sender's balance or bank. The calculator models the merchant case, which is what sellers and freelancers need.
International and currency fees
Cross-border payments add a currency conversion fee — typically 3 to 4 percent above the exchange rate — and international merchant fees can exceed 4 percent. A $500 international invoice can cost $20+ in fees. The calculator's rate input handles the higher percentage.
A worked example
A $250 invoice at 2.99% + $0.49: fee = $7.48 + $0.49 = $7.97, net received = $242.03. To net exactly $250, the gross invoice must be about $257.70. The calculator shows both the net-from-gross and gross-from-net directions.
Alternative pricing tiers
PayPal offers merchant rates that drop with volume (Custom Pricing) and for nonprofit accounts. Comparing PayPal against Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) and direct bank transfers puts the convenience fee in perspective — the calculator makes the per-transaction comparison quick.
How this calculator works
Formula
Fee = amount × percentage rate + fixed fee. Net = amount − fee. Rates vary by transaction type (goods & services ~2.99% + $0.49 in the US).
Worked example
A $100 goods-and-services payment: $100 × 2.99% + $0.49 = $3.48 in fees — net $96.52.
Assumptions to verify
- The standard rate for the user's country applies.
- No currency conversion is involved.
- The transaction is goods & services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge?
About 2.99% + $0.49 per US goods-and-services transaction — $3.48 on a $100 payment.
How do I calculate the fee?
Amount × rate + fixed: $100 × 2.99% + $0.49 = $3.48.
Are friends-and-family payments free?
Usually, in the same country — but sellers lose protection, so goods should go through goods & services.
Why is my rate different?
Rates vary by country, currency, account type, and volume — check your merchant rate.
How do I price to cover fees?
Divide your desired net by (1 − rate): $100 net at 2.99% needs about $103.09.
Do cross-border payments cost more?
Yes — currency conversion and cross-border fees add a few percent.
How does this compare to Stripe?
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 (US) — slightly cheaper on most ticket sizes. Compare with your volume.
What is the PayPal fee?
2.99% plus a fixed fee (about $0.49 for US domestic) on goods-and-services payments.
Who pays the fee?
The recipient of a goods-and-services payment pays the merchant fee.
Are international payments more expensive?
Yes — currency conversion (3–4%) and international rates raise the cost.
How do I net a specific amount?
Divide the target by (1 − rate) and add the fixed fee share — the calculator does both directions.
Cite this tool
BoringToolsKit. “PayPal Fee Calculator.” boringtoolskit.com/paypal-fee-calculator/ (reviewed 2026-08-25). Free to reference in articles, syllabi, and answer posts with a link.
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