How PayPal fees are calculated
For most payments PayPal takes a percentage of the amount plus a fixed fee per payment. The rate depends on how the buyer pays, where they live and where your account is registered. For a US business account the main rates are:
- PayPal Checkout, Pay with Venmo, guest checkout and payments through PayPal invoices: 3.49% + 0.49 USD.
- Money sent for goods and services from a PayPal account: 2.99%, with no fixed fee.
- Standard credit and debit card payments: 2.99% + 0.49 USD.
- PayPal Pay Later: 4.99% + 0.49 USD.
- QR code payments: 2.29% + 0.09 USD. Approved micropayments pricing: 4.99% + 0.09 USD.
- Payments from buyers in another country: the domestic rate plus 1.5%.
- Currency conversion: PayPal adds a spread of 3% to the exchange rate when it converts money you receive or withdraw.
Worked examples
A $100.00 payment through PayPal Checkout costs $3.49 (3.49%) plus the $0.49 fixed fee, so you receive $96.02. The same $100.00 sent as goods and services from a PayPal account costs $2.99 and you keep $97.01.
If the buyer is abroad, the rate rises to 4.99% and you receive $94.52. To be left with exactly $100.00 from a domestic Checkout payment, you need to charge $104.12: the fee is a percentage of the full amount, so adding 3.49% on top is not quite enough.
Small payments and micropayments
The fixed fee hurts most on small sales. On a $5.00 payment the standard rate takes $0.66, which is 13.2% of the sale. With micropayments pricing the same payment costs $0.34. Micropayments pricing is cheaper for payments under about $26.67 and more expensive above it, and it applies to your whole account once approved, so it only suits shops where most sales are small.
Ukrainian PayPal accounts
Accounts registered in Ukraine pay one rate for all commercial payments, whatever the buyer uses: 3.4% + 0.30 USD for payments from other Ukrainian accounts and 4.4% + 0.30 USD for payments from abroad. A $100.00 payment from a US buyer leaves $95.30, or about $92.44 if it is converted to another currency. Select Ukraine in the calculator to use these rates.
What the calculator does not include
- Fees to withdraw money. Standard transfers to a US bank account are free; instant transfers cost 1.5%. Fees for withdrawals outside the US depend on the country.
- Chargeback and dispute fees, which are charged only when a buyer disputes a payment.
- Fixed fees in other currencies. The calculator uses the US dollar fixed fee.
- Refunds: PayPal charges nothing to refund, but the fee from the original payment is not returned.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge to receive 100 dollars?
For a US account, a $100.00 PayPal Checkout payment costs $3.98 (3.49% + 0.49 USD), so you receive $96.02. Sent as goods and services from a PayPal account it costs $2.99. From a buyer abroad add 1.5%.
How much should I charge to receive an exact amount?
Divide the amount you want plus the fixed fee by one minus the percentage rate. To receive $100.00 through PayPal Checkout you need to charge $104.12. Choose “How much to charge” in the calculator to get the exact figure for any rate.
Does PayPal charge a fee for goods and services?
Yes. Payments for goods and services sent from a PayPal account cost the seller 2.99%, with no fixed fee. Payments made through PayPal Checkout on a website cost 3.49% + 0.49 USD.
What is the PayPal international fee?
US accounts pay an extra 1.5% on top of the domestic rate when the buyer is registered in another country. Currency conversion, if any, is charged separately through the exchange rate.
What are PayPal fees in Ukraine?
Ukrainian accounts pay 4.4% + 0.30 USD for payments from abroad and 3.4% + 0.30 USD for payments from other Ukrainian accounts, for every type of commercial payment.
