PayPal Fee Calculator
Calculate PayPal transaction fees, understand different fee structures, and determine how much to request to receive your exact desired amount.
Transaction Details
Enter the payment amount to see fees deducted
Quick Tip
Use 'Amount to Request' mode if you want to receive an exact amount after fees.
Fee Breakdown
You Will Receive
Understanding PayPal Fees
How PayPal Fees Work
PayPal charges fees on most transactions when receiving money for goods and services. Fees consist of a percentage plus a fixed amount per transaction.
Standard US Rate
- • 3.49% of transaction amount
- • Plus $0.49 fixed fee
- • Higher for international
- • Lower for QR code payments
When Fees Apply
Not all PayPal transactions have fees. Understanding when fees apply helps you choose the best payment method for each situation.
- • Charged: Goods and services payments
- • Charged: PayPal Checkout
- • Charged: Invoices
- • Free: Friends & Family (bank funded)
- • Free: PayPal balance transfers
PayPal Fee Rates Comparison
Standard US
3.49%
+ $0.49 per transaction
Most common for businesses
International
4.99%
+ $0.49 per transaction
Cross-border payments
QR Code
2.19%
+ $0.09 per transaction
In-person payments
Fee Impact by Transaction Size
$25
$1.36
5.44% effective
$50
$2.24
4.47% effective
$100
$3.98
3.98% effective
$500
$17.94
3.59% effective
The fixed fee has less impact on larger transactions, lowering the effective rate.
Tips to Minimize PayPal Fees
For Businesses
- • Use QR codes for in-person payments (2.19% + $0.09)
- • Consider PayPal Advanced for lower credit card rates
- • Batch payments to reduce per-transaction fees
- • Apply for volume discount rates
- • Use invoicing for larger B2B transactions
For Individuals
- • Use Friends & Family for personal transfers
- • Fund from bank account (not credit card)
- • Request sender covers fees when possible
- • Consider alternatives for small amounts
- • Use PayPal balance when available
PayPal vs Alternatives
PayPal
3.49% + $0.49
- • Wide acceptance
- • Buyer protection
- • International support
Stripe
2.9% + $0.30
- • Developer friendly
- • Lower fees
- • Modern API
Square
2.6% + $0.10
- • Great for retail
- • Free POS hardware
- • Simple pricing
Venmo
1.9% + $0.10
- • Popular with youth
- • Social features
- • US only