PayPal Fee Calculator (2026 Updated Rates)
PayPal remains the most requested checkout option for freelancers and small sellers, but its 3.49% + $0.49 commercial rate makes it one of the pricier US gateways. International payments, currency conversion and refund fee retention all widen the real cost.
Fee breakdown
| Platform | Total fees | Net | vs here | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal (this page) | $3.98 | $96.02 | baseline | |
| Wise | $0.93 | $99.07 | +$3.05 More 🟢 | PK → |
| Stripe | $3.20 | $96.80 | +$0.78 More 🟢 | PK → |
| Square | $3.20 | $96.80 | +$0.78 More 🟢 | PK → |
| Lemon Squeezy | $5.50 | $94.50 | −$1.52 Less 🔻 | PK → |
| Paddle | $5.50 | $94.50 | −$1.52 Less 🔻 | PK → |
| Gumroad | $13.70 | $86.30 | −$9.72 Less 🔻 | PK → |
PayPal fee quick reference (2026)
| Amount | Total fees | You keep | Take rate | Charge to net it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.84 | $9.16 | 8.4% | $10.87 |
| $25.00 | $1.36 | $23.64 | 5.5% | $26.42 |
| $50.00 | $2.24 | $47.76 | 4.5% | $52.32 |
| $100.00 | $3.98 | $96.02 | 4.0% | $104.13 |
| $250.00 | $9.22 | $240.78 | 3.7% | $259.55 |
| $500.00 | $17.94 | $482.06 | 3.6% | $518.59 |
| $1,000.00 | $35.39 | $964.61 | 3.5% | $1,036.67 |
PayPal fee formula & hidden costs
payment processing 3.49% + $0.49
Worked example: $100.00 gross → $3.98 fees → $96.02 net. Reverse gross-up: charge = (target + fixed) / (1 − rate) → to net $100.00 charge $104.13.
Hidden fees to watch
- Cross-border commercial payments add +1.5% on top of the domestic rate.
- PayPal currency conversion applies a 3-4% markup over the wholesale exchange rate.
- On refunds PayPal returns the percentage portion but keeps the $0.49 fixed fee.
- Chargeback fees run $8-$20 per dispute on top of losing the sale.
- Instant transfers to a bank or card cost 1.75% (min $0.25, max $25).
Fee change history
How to pay less in PayPal fees
- Use the reverse calculator to pass fees to the client explicitly instead of eating them.
- Batch small orders — fixed per-order fees dominate sub-$10 transactions.
- Avoid currency conversion inside the platform; settle in your own currency via a multi-currency account.
- Compare Payoneer — Cross-border payouts and multi-currency receiving accounts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal take from a $100 sale?
At the US Goods & Services rate of 3.49% + $0.49, PayPal keeps $3.98 and you net $96.02. On small amounts the $0.49 fixed fee bites hard — a $10 sale loses $0.84 (8.4%).
How much should I charge a client to receive exactly $100 after PayPal fees?
Gross it up: ($100 + $0.49) / (1 - 0.0349) = $104.12. The fee on $104.12 is $4.12, leaving exactly $100.00.
Does PayPal refund the fee when I refund a buyer?
Partly. PayPal returns the percentage portion but keeps the $0.49 fixed fee, so a full refund on a $100 sale costs you $0.49.
When are PayPal micropayments cheaper than the standard rate?
Micropayments (4.99% + $0.09) beat the G&S rate below roughly $8 per transaction. Above that, the lower fixed fee stops compensating for the higher percentage.
What does PayPal charge for international payments?
Cross-border commercial transactions add +1.5% on top of your domestic rate, and if the payment needs currency conversion PayPal applies a further 3-4% markup over the mid-market rate.
Is PayPal Friends & Family really free?
For domestic transfers funded by a bank or PayPal balance, yes — 0%. But it offers no buyer/seller protection, and using it for sales violates PayPal terms.