Use this calculator to estimate the fees PayPal will charge for a transaction, or to determine how much someone needs to send for you to receive a specific net amount.
Calculate Fees from a Gross Amount
Enter the total amount of the transaction (before fees) and the applicable PayPal fee rates to see the estimated fee and the net amount received.
Calculate Gross Amount to Receive a Net Amount
Enter the desired net amount you wish to receive, and the applicable PayPal fee rates. The calculator will tell you the gross amount that needs to be sent to cover the fees.
PayPal charges fees for various transactions, primarily to cover the costs of processing payments, fraud prevention, and maintaining their platform. The fee structure typically involves a combination of a percentage of the transaction amount and a fixed fee per transaction.
Common Fee Structure
For most domestic "Goods & Services" transactions, PayPal's standard fee is a percentage of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee. For example, in the US, a common rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This means if you receive $100, PayPal takes $2.90 (2.9% of $100) plus $0.30, totaling $3.20 in fees, leaving you with $96.80.
Factors Affecting Fees
Transaction Type: "Goods & Services" payments typically incur fees, offering buyer and seller protection. "Friends & Family" payments for personal transfers usually have no fees for the sender if funded by bank account or PayPal balance, but may incur fees if funded by credit/debit card. Receiving "Friends & Family" payments generally has no fee for the recipient.
Domestic vs. International: International transactions often have higher percentage fees and sometimes different fixed fees.
Currency Conversion: If currency conversion is involved, PayPal applies an exchange rate spread, which acts as an additional fee.
Payment Method: Fees can sometimes vary based on how the payment is funded (e.g., bank account, PayPal balance, credit card).
Merchant Rates: Larger businesses or those with high sales volumes might qualify for lower merchant rates.
Why Use This Calculator?
This PayPal Fee Calculator is invaluable for:
Sellers: Quickly determine the actual profit you'll make after PayPal fees, or calculate the correct price to charge to ensure you receive your desired net amount.
Freelancers/Service Providers: Understand how much to invoice clients to cover fees and receive your full service charge.
Individuals: Estimate costs for receiving payments for items sold online or for personal transactions where fees apply.
Examples:
Example 1: Selling an item for $50 (using 2.9% + $0.30 fee)
Gross Transaction Amount: $50.00
Percentage Fee: 2.9% of $50.00 = $1.45
Fixed Fee: $0.30
Total Fee: $1.45 + $0.30 = $1.75
Net Amount Received: $50.00 – $1.75 = $48.25
Example 2: Needing to receive exactly $100 (using 2.9% + $0.30 fee)