PayPal fee calculator
See what PayPal takes for each way a customer can pay you, and how much you keep. Compare the result with Stripe and Square.
Standard published US rates as of October 2026. Volume or negotiated pricing will be lower. Check the provider's own pricing page before relying on a number.
How PayPal fees work
PayPal's US merchant fees are a percentage of the payment plus a fixed fee of 49¢. The rate depends on how the buyer pays:
- PayPal Checkout and Venmo: 3.49% + 49¢
- Standard credit and debit card payments: 2.99% + 49¢
- Goods & Services payments: 2.99% + 49¢
- Pay Later: 4.99% + 49¢
- QR code payments in person: 2.29% + 9¢
- International buyers: add 1.5%
PayPal fee = amount × 3.49% + $0.49
On a $100 PayPal Checkout sale, PayPal keeps $3.98 and you receive $96.02. The 49¢ fixed fee is higher than Stripe's 30¢, which makes PayPal relatively expensive on small sales.
Goods & Services vs Friends & Family
Payments for goods and services carry a fee paid by the seller, and they give the buyer purchase protection. Friends & Family transfers are free in the US but aren't meant for business, and using them for sales can get your account limited.
Currency conversion
When PayPal converts currency, it applies its own exchange rate with a spread built in. That cost isn't included in this calculator, so international sales in another currency will cost more than shown.
More tools
Common questions
What is PayPal's fee for goods and services?
2.99% + 49¢ for a US Goods & Services payment. PayPal Checkout payments on a website are 3.49% + 49¢.
How much does PayPal take from $100?
$3.98 through PayPal Checkout, leaving $96.02. A standard card payment costs $3.48.
Who pays the PayPal fee?
The seller. The buyer pays the listed price and PayPal deducts its fee before the money reaches your balance.
Why is PayPal more expensive on small sales?
Its 49¢ fixed fee is larger than most competitors'. On a $5 sale that fixed fee alone is almost 10% of the price.