About the PayPal Fee Calculator
This PayPal fee calculator shows what PayPal deducts when you receive a payment and what lands in your account. It also works in reverse: enter the amount you want to end up with and it tells you exactly how much to invoice or charge so that, after PayPal’s percentage and fixed fee, you receive that full amount.
It is handy for freelancers sending invoices, small online sellers, creators taking commissions and anyone selling goods and services through PayPal. Choose a preset or enter your own rate if you are on a different plan, currency or country.
The presets use PayPal’s published US rates as reviewed in September 2026: 3.49% + $0.49 for PayPal Checkout and PayPal Invoicing, 2.99% with no fixed fee for a goods-and-services payment sent from a PayPal account, and 2.99% + $0.49 for standard card processing. International commercial payments add a cross-border percentage (1.5% for most countries), which you can enter separately. PayPal changes its fees periodically, so compare with its merchant fees page.
With the default inputs, the paypal fee is $17.94. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the paypal fee calculator
- 1Enter the payment amount — or the amount you want to receive.
- 2Choose the fee type that matches how you are paid, or enter a custom rate.
- 3Add an international fee if the payer is in another country.
- 4Read the fee and your net amount, or use the invoice amount to cover fees fully.
Formula and method
PayPal’s fee for receiving a payment is a percentage of the amount plus a fixed fee per transaction, so the fee equals the amount times the rate plus the fixed charge, and what you receive is the amount minus that fee. Any international surcharge is added to the percentage rate.
To receive a target amount after fees, you need an invoice amount X where X − (X × r + f) = Target. Solving gives X = (Target + f) ÷ (1 − r). Simply adding the fee on top of the target is not enough, because PayPal also charges its percentage on the extra amount you add.
- A
- Payment amount received
- r
- Percentage fee as a decimal (including any international fee)
- f
- Fixed fee per transaction
- Target
- Amount you want to receive after fees
Worked examples
$500 PayPal invoice
3.49% of $500 is $17.45, plus the $0.49 fixed fee, gives a $17.94 fee, so you receive $482.06. To receive the full $500 you would invoice ($500 + $0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $518.59.
$1,200 card payment
At 2.99% + $0.49 the fee on $1,200 is $35.88 + $0.49 = $36.37, leaving $1,163.63. Invoicing $1,237.49 would leave exactly $1,200 after fees.
$500 goods-and-services payment from a PayPal account
Goods-and-services payments sent from a PayPal account cost 2.99% with no fixed fee, so the fee on $500 is $14.95 and you receive $485.05. To receive the full $500 you would ask for $500 ÷ 0.9701 = $515.41.
$100 international payment on a custom rate
A 2.9% rate plus a 1.5% international fee makes 4.4%. The fee on $100 is $4.40 + $0.30 = $4.70. To receive $100 you would invoice $100.30 ÷ 0.956 = $104.92.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge to receive money?+
In the US, PayPal Checkout and PayPal Invoicing payments cost 3.49% + $0.49, and a goods-and-services payment sent from a PayPal account costs 2.99% with no fixed fee (rates as reviewed in September 2026). Personal payments between friends and family funded by a PayPal balance or bank are free to receive.
How do I calculate how much to charge to cover PayPal fees?+
Add the fixed fee to the amount you want and divide by one minus the percentage rate: (amount + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − rate). For $100 at 3.49% + $0.49 that is $100.49 ÷ 0.9651 = $104.12.
Can I pass PayPal fees on to the customer?+
Many freelancers build fees into their price or invoice. Surcharging rules vary by location and by PayPal’s own user agreement, so check both before adding a separate PayPal fee line.
Does PayPal charge extra for international payments?+
Yes. Commercial payments received from another country carry an additional international percentage fee on top of the standard rate (1.5% for most countries in the US fee schedule), and currency conversion adds a separate spread if the money is converted.
Are PayPal fees refunded if I refund a buyer?+
For commercial transactions PayPal generally does not return the fixed fee on a refund, and depending on the transaction may keep the percentage fee too. Check PayPal’s current refund fee terms for your account.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.
Sources