PayPal’s U.S. fees are 2.99% + $0.49 for goods and services payments, 3.49% + $0.49 for PayPal Checkout, invoices and Pay with Venmo, and 2.29% + $0.09 for in-person QR code payments; an extra 1.5% applies to international payments. Rates change – check PayPal’s fee page.
How to use the PayPal Fee Calculator
- Transaction type
- Custom percentage
- Custom fixed fee
- International payment?
- Amount
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose the transaction type, whether it is international, and enter the amount.
Tips
- Know the difference between margin (profit ÷ price) and markup (profit ÷ cost).
- Apply successive discounts one after another – they do not simply add up.
- Check whether prices already include sales tax or VAT.
- Round prices only at the very end of the calculation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Adding discount percentages together.
- Pricing from a target margin using the markup formula.
- Forgetting payment-processing and shipping fees.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Transaction type | Choose one: Goods and services payment (2.99% + $0.49), PayPal Checkout, invoicing or Venmo (3.49% + $0.49), QR code in person (2.29% + $0.09), Friends and family, funded by card (2.9% + $0.30) … |
| Custom percentage | In % |
| Custom fixed fee | Amount in your currency |
| International payment? | Choose one: No, Yes |
| Amount | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- PayPal fee = [Amount]×[Percentage fee]÷100 + [Fixed fee]
- You receive = [Amount] – [PayPal fee]
- Ask for this to receive the amount = ([Amount] + [Fixed fee])÷(1 – [Percentage fee]÷100)
Example values
How the main result changes when Custom percentage changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Custom percentage (%) | You receive |
|---|---|
| 1.75 | 96.52 |
| 2.62 | 96.52 |
| 3.49 | 96.52 |
| 4.36 | 96.52 |
| 5.24 | 96.52 |
| 6.98 | 96.52 |
Formula
Fee = amount × percentage + fixed fee (+ international %)You receive = amount − feeAmount to ask = (desired amount + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage)Worked example
Inputs — Transaction type: Goods and services payment (2.99% + $0.49); Custom percentage: 3.49 %; Custom fixed fee: $0.49; International payment?: No; Amount: $100.
Results — Percentage fee = 2.99 %; Fixed fee = $0.49; PayPal fee = $3.48; You receive = $96.52; Ask for this to receive the amount = $103.59.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge?
For goods and services in the U.S., 2.99% + $0.49; PayPal Checkout is 3.49% + $0.49.
Who pays the PayPal fee?
The seller (recipient) for goods and services; the sender for card-funded personal payments.
Are friends and family payments free?
Yes when funded by a PayPal balance or bank account in the U.S.
What formula does the PayPal Fee Calculator use?
Fee = amount × percentage + fixed fee (+ international %).