PayPal Fee Calculator

Calculate PayPal transaction fees for different payment types, countries, and amounts. Determine how much you'll receive or what to charge to receive a specific amount.

PayPal Fee
$3.20
Payment Amount $100.00
Percentage Fee $2.90
Fixed Fee $0.30
You Receive $96.80
Fee Rate:

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Reverse Calculator: Charge Amount to Receive Exact Sum

Want to receive exactly a specific amount after PayPal fees? Enter the amount you want to receive:

To receive $100.00, charge:

$103.30

Fee Breakdown

PayPal Fee Rates by Transaction Type (US)

Transaction Type Percentage Fee Fixed Fee Fee on $100
Commercial (Goods & Services) 2.99% $0.49 $3.48
Micropayment 5.00% $0.05 $5.05
International 4.49% $0.49 $4.98
Personal (Friends & Family) 0.00% $0.00 $0.00*
QR Code Payment 2.29% $0.09 $2.38
PayPal Invoicing 3.49% $0.49 $3.98

* Free when funded by bank account. Card-funded personal payments may incur 2.9% fee.

Tips to Reduce PayPal Fees

Use Friends & Family for Personal Transfers

When sending money to friends or family (not goods/services), use the personal payment option to avoid fees.

Request Payment via Bank Account

Payments funded by bank accounts often have lower or no fees compared to credit cards.

Use QR Code Payments In-Person

QR code payments have lower fees than standard commercial transactions.

Consider Alternative Payment Methods

For large transactions, wire transfers or ACH may have lower fees than PayPal.

Understanding PayPal Fees

PayPal charges transaction fees for receiving payments for goods and services. These fees consist of two components: a percentage of the transaction amount and a fixed fee per transaction. Understanding these fees helps you price your products correctly and manage your business finances.

PayPal's fee structure varies based on the transaction type, country, and whether the payment is domestic or international. The fees described in this calculator are for standard transactions and may vary based on your account type and volume discounts.

PayPal Fee Formula

The standard formula for calculating PayPal fees is:

PayPal Fee = (Transaction Amount x Percentage Rate) + Fixed Fee

Example: Standard Commercial Transaction

For a $100 payment with 2.99% + $0.49 fee structure:

  • Percentage Fee: $100 x 0.0299 = $2.99
  • Fixed Fee: $0.49
  • Total Fee: $2.99 + $0.49 = $3.48
  • You Receive: $100 - $3.48 = $96.52

Reverse Fee Calculation

If you want to receive a specific amount after PayPal fees, use this formula to calculate what to charge:

Amount to Charge = (Desired Amount + Fixed Fee) / (1 - Percentage Rate)

Example: Receive Exactly $100

To receive $100 after fees (2.99% + $0.49):

  • Amount to Charge = ($100 + $0.49) / (1 - 0.0299)
  • Amount to Charge = $100.49 / 0.9701
  • Amount to Charge = $103.58

PayPal Account Types

PayPal offers different account types with varying fee structures:

International Transactions

International payments incur additional fees:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard PayPal fee for US transactions?

For standard US transactions (goods and services), PayPal typically charges 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction. This means for a $100 transaction, you'd pay $3.48 in fees and receive $96.52.

How can I avoid PayPal fees?

PayPal fees can be reduced or avoided by: using Friends & Family for personal transfers, requesting payment via bank account instead of credit card, using QR code payments for in-person transactions, or considering alternative payment processors for large volumes.

Are PayPal fees tax deductible?

Yes, PayPal fees are generally tax-deductible as a business expense if you're using PayPal to receive business income. Keep records of all fees paid for your tax filings. Consult a tax professional for specific advice.

Do micropayments have different fees?

Yes, PayPal offers micropayment rates (5% + $0.05) for small transactions. This can be beneficial if you regularly receive many small payments, as the lower fixed fee offsets the higher percentage. You must apply to enable micropayment pricing on your account.

All Calculators