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PayPal Fee Calculator (2026): Fees & Reverse Invoice Calculator

See exactly how much PayPal takes from a payment at 3.49% + $0.49 per domestic transaction, including international card and currency conversion surcharges, or flip to reverse mode to find the invoice amount that leaves you with 100% of your target after fees.

Data as of November 2026

Calculation mode
$
Transaction type

You receive

$964.61

From a $1,000.00 payment via PayPal

PayPal fee

$35.39

3.49% + $0.49

Effective fee rate

3.54%

of the payment amount
Payment breakdown
Net payout to you: $964.61PayPal processing fee: $35.39
  • Net payout to you$964.6196%
  • PayPal processing fee$35.394%

Same payment on every platform

PlatformFeeYou receive
2.9% + $0.30$29.30$970.70
3.3% + $0.30$33.30$966.70
3.49% + $0.49$35.39$964.61
5% + $0.50$50.50$949.50
10% + $0.50$100.50$899.50

Card processing only. Payout, dispute and add-on product fees are separate.

PayPal fees explained

PayPal's US commercial rate for PayPal Checkout and invoicing is 3.49% + 49¢. International commercial transactions add 1.5%, and PayPal applies a currency conversion spread when funds are converted.

Best for:Freelancers whose clients prefer paying with a PayPal balance or account.

PayPal pricing details
Domestic card rate3.49% + $0.49
International card surcharge+1.5%
Currency conversion+3%
Chargeback / dispute fee$20.00
Monthly feeNone
Merchant of recordNo
Payout speedInstant to PayPal balance; 1 business day to bank

How to pass PayPal fees to your client

To receive a specific amount after fees, gross up the invoice: charge = (target + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage rate), rounded up to the next cent. With PayPal's 3.49% + $0.49 rate, receiving exactly $1,000 means invoicing $1,036.67, so the client covers$36.67 in fees and you net $1,000.00. Simply adding 3.49% to the invoice is not enough, because PayPal also takes its percentage from the extra amount.

PayPal vs. other payment platforms

Fees on domestic card payments of different sizes. Ranked by what you keep from a $1,000 payment.

PlatformRateFee on $100Fee on $500Fee on $1,000Fee on $5,000Invoice to net $1,000
Stripe2.9% + $0.30$3.20$14.80$29.30$145.30$1,030.18
Square3.3% + $0.30$3.60$16.80$33.30$165.30$1,034.44
PayPal3.49% + $0.49$3.98$17.94$35.39$174.99$1,036.67
Lemon Squeezy5% + $0.50$5.50$25.50$50.50$250.50$1,053.16
Gumroad10% + $0.50$10.50$50.50$100.50$500.50$1,111.67

PayPal pros

  • Clients can pay without entering a card
  • Widely trusted by international buyers
  • Funds available in your PayPal balance immediately

PayPal cons

  • Highest fixed fee of the major processors
  • Currency conversion spread around 3% or more
  • Account holds and rolling reserves are common for new sellers

Frequently asked questions

How much does PayPal charge per transaction?

PayPal's standard rate is 3.49% + $0.49 per domestic transaction. International cards add 1.5% and currency conversion adds 3%. On a $1,000 payment you would pay $35.39 in fees and receive $964.61.

How do I pass PayPal fees on to my client?

Use the reverse (gross-up) formula: add the fixed fee to the amount you want to receive, then divide by one minus the percentage rate. To receive exactly $1,000 through PayPal on a domestic payment, invoice $1,036.67. Some US states and card network rules restrict credit card surcharges, so label it as a service or processing fee and check the rules where your client is located.

Is PayPal cheaper than other payment platforms?

On a $1,000 domestic payment, PayPal keeps $35.39. In our comparison the cheapest option is Stripe at $29.30, and the most expensive is Gumroad at $100.50. PayPal is not a merchant of record, so sales tax and VAT collection remain your responsibility.

Is PayPal Friends & Family a way to avoid fees?

No. Using Friends & Family for business payments breaks PayPal's user agreement, removes Seller Protection, and can get your account limited. Invoice through Goods & Services and pass the fee on to the client instead.