PayPal Fee Calculator: US Rates & What You Keep
Estimate PayPal fees for US merchants in USD. Compare Checkout, card, goods and services, QR and Pay Later rates, or calculate what to charge to receive a target amount.
- PayPal fees
- Payment processing
- US pricing
On this page
Estimate how much a PayPal payment costs and what remains after processing fees. Select a payment type, add an international payment surcharge when applicable, or work backward from the amount you want to receive.
How to use this fee guide
Enter the payment amount, select the payment method and enable only the surcharges that apply. Switch to the reverse mode to estimate the minimum amount to charge for a target receipt. Read the rate table and exclusions before comparing providers.
Calculate fees and review the rates
Standard US merchant rates in USD. These estimates cover the selected processing rate and optional international surcharge. They exclude currency conversion, taxes, disputes and other charges. Your account, product and agreement determine the applicable rate.
- Amount charged
- $100.00
- Estimated processing fee
- $3.98
- Amount after processing fees
- $96.02
How the calculation works
Estimated processing fee = Amount charged × 3.49% + $0.49
Amount after processing fees = Amount charged − Estimated processing fee
PayPal fees for US merchants
Official US rates checked November 3, 2026. Confirm current pricing before using an estimate for a transaction.
| Payment method | Fee rate |
|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout — 3.49% + $0.49 | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Card payments — 2.99% + $0.49 | 2.99% + $0.49 |
| Goods and services payments — 2.99% | 2.99% + $0.00 |
| QR code payments — 2.29% + $0.09 | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Pay Later — 4.99% + $0.49 | 4.99% + $0.49 |
How the calculation works
For a payment amount A, percentage rate r and fixed fee f, the estimated fee is A × r + f. The amount after processing fees is A − (A × r + f). To receive a target amount N, the reverse calculation is (N + f) ÷ (1 − r). An applicable international surcharge adds 1.5 percentage points to r. Displayed USD results are rounded to cents; this is an estimate, not a PayPal settlement statement.
PayPal fee calculation examples
PayPal Checkout — 3.49% + $0.49 · US · USD
| Amount charged | Estimated processing fee | Amount after processing fees |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.84 | $9.16 |
| $50.00 | $2.24 | $47.76 |
| $100.00 | $3.98 | $96.02 |
| $500.00 | $17.94 | $482.06 |
| $1000.00 | $35.39 | $964.61 |
| $5000.00 | $174.99 | $4825.01 |
PayPal fee calculator FAQs
How much does PayPal charge on a $100 payment?
At the standard US PayPal Checkout rate of 3.49% + $0.49, the estimated fee is $3.98 and the amount after processing fees is $96.02. Other payment types have different rates. The example excludes international payments and currency conversion.
Why are there several PayPal fee rates?
PayPal publishes different rates for Checkout, card payments, goods and services payments, QR codes and Pay Later. Choose the type that matches your actual payment product. A rate for one product should not be assumed to apply to another.
How do I calculate what to charge to receive a specific amount?
Choose the reverse calculation and enter the amount you want after processing fees. The tool divides the target amount plus the fixed fee by one minus the applicable percentage rate. This is a planning calculation; it does not establish whether passing a fee to a customer is permitted.
What changes for an international payment?
For the US commercial payment rates modeled here, the international payment option adds 1.5 percentage points to the selected rate. Whether a payment is international depends on PayPal’s classification. Currency conversion is a separate cost and is not included.
Does this include PayPal currency conversion fees?
No. This calculator uses US rates and USD fixed fees. PayPal conversion charges and exchange rates depend on the transaction and conversion type. Check the official pricing and the rate displayed for your transaction.
Does the calculator include refunds or disputes?
No. It models the processing fee for the selected payment type. Refunds, disputes, chargebacks, payouts and other services can have separate terms or charges, so they require their own calculation.
Is the amount after fees the same as business profit?
No. The result only subtracts the processing fees modeled here. It does not deduct taxes, product costs, operating costs or other expenses, and it is not a guaranteed bank payout.
Will the estimate match every PayPal account?
No. Merchant country, payment product, currency and negotiated pricing can change the applicable fee. This page uses the listed standard US rates in USD. Check your PayPal agreement and transaction details for the exact charge.
Compare your full payment setup
Processing fees are one part of selling globally. Explore Waffo Pancake’s pricing for payments, tax and Merchant of Record services, and compare the scope of each offer.
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Waffo Pancake is a Merchant of Record platform for developers and solo founders — we handle global payments, tax, and compliance across 173 countries so you can focus on building. Our team writes these guides from hands-on payments and billing experience.
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