PayPal Fee Calculator
Enter a transaction amount and choose a payment type to see the exact PayPal fee and the net amount you keep. Switch to reverse mode to find what you need to charge so that you receive a precise amount after fees. All 2026 US PayPal merchant rates are built in, including international surcharges.
How PayPal calculates transaction fees
For almost every commercial payment, PayPal charges a combination of a percentage of the gross transaction and a small flat fee per transaction. The formula is: Fee = (Gross x percentage rate) + fixed fee. What you receive is the gross amount minus the fee. For example, a $100 Goods and Services payment costs 3.49% x $100 + $0.49 = $3.49 + $0.49 = $3.98, leaving you with $96.02. The fixed component means small transactions carry a proportionally higher effective rate, while large transactions are dominated by the percentage portion.
Forward mode vs. reverse mode (passing fees to the buyer)
In forward mode you enter the price you charge and find what you keep. In reverse mode (sometimes called 'invoice uplift' or 'absorb no fees') you enter the net amount you want to pocket, and the calculator works backward to the gross price to charge. The algebra is: Gross = (Desired net + fixed fee) / (1 - percentage rate). For a Goods and Services payment where you want to keep exactly $100: Gross = ($100 + $0.49) / (1 - 0.0349) = $100.49 / 0.9651 = $104.12. Note that passing fees to buyers may be subject to card network rules and PayPal's own user agreement, so check the rules for your account and jurisdiction.
Choosing the right payment type to minimize fees
QR Code payments carry the lowest standard rate at 2.29% + $0.09, making them ideal for in-person transactions. ACH Bank Transfer charges just 1% with a $10 cap, so a $2,000 invoice costs only $20 instead of the $70.47 you would pay under the standard Goods and Services rate. Micropayments (4.99% + $0.09) are mathematically optimal for amounts below roughly $10. For a $5 sale, the micropayment fee is $0.34 versus $0.67 under the standard rate. Friends and Family payments funded from a PayPal balance or linked bank account are free within the US but cannot be used for commercial sales - using them to avoid fees on business transactions violates PayPal's acceptable use policy.
International payments and currency conversion
Whenever a buyer pays from a different country, PayPal adds a cross-border surcharge of 1.5 percentage points on top of the base domestic rate. A standard Goods and Services payment therefore becomes 3.49% + 1.5% = 4.99% + $0.49. If the buyer also pays in a foreign currency, PayPal applies a currency conversion spread of 3% to 4% above the base exchange rate. To minimize costs on international sales, invoice in the buyer's currency and let them initiate payment in their local currency, which can reduce the conversion charge. The international surcharge is separate from currency conversion and both can apply to the same transaction.
PayPal US fee rates by payment type (2026)
| Payment type | Percentage fee | Fixed fee (USD) | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goods & Services | 3.49% | $0.49 | Standard online checkout |
| QR Code (in-store) | 2.29% | $0.09 | Pop-up shops, in-person sales |
| Invoice | 3.49% | $0.49 | Freelancers, service businesses |
| Micropayments (< ~$10) | 4.99% | $0.09 | Tips, low-value digital goods |
| Pay Later | 4.99% | $0.49 | Buy Now Pay Later checkout |
| ACH Bank Transfer | 1.00% | $0.00 (max $10) | B2B, high-value invoices |
| Credit or Debit Card | 2.99% | $0.29 | Card-not-present, non-PayPal wallet |
| Pay with Venmo | 3.49% | $0.49 | Social / peer commerce |
| Charity / Donations | 2.89% | $0.49 | Nonprofits with standard account |
| Friends & Family - card | 2.90% | $0.00 | Personal payments by card |
| Friends & Family - bank | 0.00% | $0.00 | Personal payments, bank-funded |
Rates effective May 2026 from the PayPal US Merchant and Consumer fee schedules. International payments add 1.5% to the domestic percentage rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the PayPal fee on a sale?
Multiply the sale amount by the percentage rate for your payment type, then add the fixed fee. For a standard Goods and Services payment: Fee = amount x 0.0349 + $0.49. On a $200 sale that is $200 x 0.0349 + $0.49 = $6.98 + $0.49 = $7.47, so you receive $192.53. This calculator performs that arithmetic instantly and also handles the reverse case.
What is the PayPal fee for Goods and Services in 2026?
The standard US rate for Goods and Services payments is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction as of May 2026. International transactions incur an additional 1.5% cross-border surcharge, bringing the total to 4.99% + $0.49.
How do I calculate what to charge so I receive an exact amount after fees?
Use the reverse formula: Gross to charge = (Amount you want + fixed fee) / (1 - percentage rate). For Goods and Services where you want to keep $50: ($50 + $0.49) / (1 - 0.0349) = $50.49 / 0.9651 = approximately $52.32. Switch this calculator to reverse mode and it computes this automatically.
Are Friends and Family payments really free?
Within the US, Friends and Family payments funded from a PayPal balance or a linked bank account carry no PayPal fee. However, if the sender uses a credit or debit card, they pay 2.90% with no fixed fee. Internationally, Friends and Family payments cost 5% (minimum $0.99, maximum $4.99) regardless of funding method.
When should I use the Micropayments rate?
The Micropayments rate (4.99% + $0.09) is cheaper than the standard Goods and Services rate (3.49% + $0.49) for transactions below roughly $10.39. Above that threshold the standard rate costs less. To activate micropayments pricing you must apply through your PayPal account settings, and the rate applies to your entire account, not individual transactions.
How much does PayPal charge for an invoice?
PayPal invoices are billed at the same rate as standard Goods and Services checkout: 3.49% + $0.49 per payment received. For a $500 invoice that is $17.45 + $0.49 = $17.94 in fees, leaving you with $482.06. ACH bank transfer at 1% (capped at $10) is significantly cheaper for large invoices.
What is the PayPal fee for QR Code payments?
QR Code payments processed via the PayPal app are charged at 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction - the lowest standard rate PayPal offers for in-person merchant transactions. On a $50 purchase the fee is $1.24, versus $2.24 for a standard card payment.