PayPal Fee Calculator
Calculate PayPal fees and your net payout for every US payment type (Checkout, Goods & Services, cards, Venmo, Pay Later, QR, micropayments, donations) using the October 2026 rates — plus international and conversion fees, instant transfer fees, profit, and the amount to charge to net a target.
How it works
Fee = amount × (rate% + 1.5% if international) + fixed fee · Net = amount − fee · Amount to charge to net a target = (target + fixed) ÷ (1 − rate%) · Instant transfer = 1.5% (min $0.50) business, 1.75% ($0.25–$25) personal
PayPal charges a percentage of each payment plus a small fixed fee that depends on the currency you receive. In the US (merchant fee page updated October 1, 2026) PayPal Checkout, invoices and Venmo cost 3.49% + $0.49, standard card payments 2.99% + $0.49, Pay Later 4.99% + $0.49, advanced card processing 2.89% + $0.49, the Virtual Terminal 3.39% + $0.49, QR code payments 2.29% + $0.09, micropayments 4.99% + $0.09, and Goods & Services payments sent from the app 2.99% with no fixed fee. Payments from buyers in another country add 1.50%. Pick a payment type, or keep the first option and type your own rate for another country or a negotiated deal. Because the fixed fee does not shrink with the payment, small payments have a much higher effective rate, which the size table and chart show. The What to charge mode works backwards: it divides by one minus the rate so you collect exactly enough to cover the fee, and when you also convert currency or use an instant transfer it solves for the amount that covers every fee. Add your cost to see profit, or a monthly payment count to see what fees cost you over a year.
Worked example
A $100 PayPal Checkout payment at 3.49% + $0.49 costs $3.98, so you receive $96.02 — an effective 3.98%. To pocket $100 you would need to charge (100 + 0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $104.12. The same $100 as a Goods & Services payment costs $2.99, leaving $97.01. From a buyer abroad, Checkout costs 4.99% + $0.49 = $5.48. Moving the $96.02 to your bank with a business instant transfer costs another 1.5% ($1.44), so $94.58 arrives. A $5 micropayment costs 4.99% + $0.09 = $0.34 instead of $0.66 at the standard rate.
Sources: PayPal — Merchant fees (US), updated October 1, 2026 · PayPal — Consumer fees (US), updated May 19, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge for Goods & Services in 2026?
In the US, a Goods & Services payment sent from the PayPal app costs the seller 2.99% with no fixed fee. Payments through PayPal Checkout on a website or by invoice cost 3.49% + $0.49. International buyers add 1.50%. The rates are set by PayPal and can change, so check its merchant fee page if you see a different number.
Do Friends & Family payments have a fee?
Domestic Friends & Family payments funded by a PayPal balance or bank are free; funded by a card they cost the sender 2.9% + $0.30, and international ones add 5% (min $0.99, max $4.99). They are not meant for sales and come with no buyer or seller protection, so this calculator models the seller-side commercial rates.
Why can’t I just add 3.49% to cover the fee?
Because the fee is charged on the higher amount and includes a fixed part. Adding 3.49% to $100 gives $103.49, but the fee on $103.49 is $4.10, leaving $99.39. Use What to charge, which divides by one minus the rate so you net exactly your target.
What does an instant transfer cost?
A standard transfer to your bank is free and takes one to three business days. An instant transfer from a business account costs 1.5% (minimum $0.50); from a personal account 1.75% with a $0.25 minimum and a $25 maximum. Pick it under Withdraw to your bank.
When are micropayments cheaper?
Micropayments pricing (4.99% + $0.09) beats the standard 3.49% + $0.49 on payments below about $26.67, because the smaller fixed fee matters more than the higher percentage. Above that it costs more. You need to ask PayPal to switch your account to it.
Does PayPal refund its fee if I refund the buyer?
No. Refunding is free, but PayPal keeps the fee it charged on the original payment, so a refunded $100 Checkout sale still costs you $3.98. If the buyer opens a dispute or chargeback instead, PayPal can add a $15 dispute fee ($30 for high-volume sellers), or a $20 chargeback fee on card payments processed outside the buyer’s PayPal account.
Related calculators
Fee rates change and vary by country and account type — the defaults are typical current US rates and are editable above. Confirm the latest fees with the platform.