PayPal Fee Calculator
Calculate PayPal transaction fees and net payout. Covers PayPal standard fees, PayPal Checkout, and how to gross-up an invoice so your client's payment covers the fee.
💳 Payments💼 Net = Amount − (Amount × 3.49% + $0.49)
PayPal fee type
Transaction amount ($)
Need to receive this exact amount?
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Fee Calculator | Net = Amount − (Amount × 3.49% + $0.49) | $/transaction |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
Standard Payment
$500 invoice via PayPal standard.
- Fee: $500×0.0349+$0.49 = $17.94+$0.49 = $18.43
- You receive: $481.57
✓ $18.43 fee, receive $481.57
Example 2
Gross-Up to Receive $500
Need to receive exactly $500.
- Target $500: send invoice for ($500+$0.49)/0.9651 = $518.93
- Client pays: $518.93
- Fee: $18.93
- You receive: $500.00 — exactly
✓ Invoice $518.93 to receive $500
Example 3
Friends & Family
$500 to friend, no fee.
- F&F transfers: $0 fee domestic
- No buyer protection for buyer
- Only use with people you trust
✓ $0 fee, full $500 received
Real-World Applications
Freelancers
Include PayPal fees in invoice totals or gross up to net your target amount.
E-commerce
Evaluate PayPal as a checkout option vs Stripe vs Shopify Payments.
Business Finance
Account for payment processing costs in pricing and P&L.
International Business
PayPal currency conversion fees add 2.5–3.5% to cross-border transactions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Using Friends & Family for business payments
F&F avoids fees but removes buyer and seller protection. If a business dispute arises, there's no recourse. Never use it for commercial transactions.
⚠️
Not accounting for PayPal fees in invoice totals
If you invoice $500 and a client pays via PayPal, you receive ~$481. Either gross up or accept this as a cost of payment processing.
⚠️
Ignoring international transaction fees
Cross-border PayPal payments add a 1.5% fee on top of standard rates, plus a 2.5–3.5% currency conversion fee. International transactions can cost 5–7%+ total.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are current PayPal fees for business? ▾
Standard rate: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. Rates may vary by monthly volume and payment method (credit card vs PayPal balance). Check PayPal’s current fee schedule.
How do I avoid PayPal fees as a seller? ▾
You can't avoid fees on commercial transactions. Options: use a lower-cost processor (Stripe at 2.9%+$0.30), pass fees to clients (disclose upfront), or gross up your invoices.
Can I charge clients for PayPal fees? ▾
Yes, if disclosed in your contract or invoice. Some businesses add a 'payment processing fee' line item. Check your local regulations, as some jurisdictions restrict this.
How do PayPal fees compare to Stripe? ▾
Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30. PayPal: 3.49% + $0.49. Stripe is slightly cheaper per transaction, especially on smaller amounts where the fixed fee matters more.
What is the PayPal fee for micropayments? ▾
PayPal offers a micropayments rate (5% + $0.05) for transactions under ~$10, which can be cheaper than the standard rate for very small transactions.