PayPal fee calculator
See what you actually keep after PayPal's fees — or what to charge to hit a target.
Default rates shown are common U.S. standard rates — edit them to match your region, card type, or negotiated pricing.
Quaderno tracks Stripe & PayPal fees and taxes automatically across every sale.
PayPal fees, explained
PayPal's standard U.S. rate for goods-and-services payments is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction — higher than the 2.9% + $0.30 that Stripe and Square typically charge, especially on smaller payments where the larger fixed fee bites hardest.
Rates differ for other payment types and for cross-border transactions, which add a percentage on top. Edit the fields above to match your situation, or use reverse mode to find what to charge so your payout hits an exact figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge in fees?
PayPal's common U.S. goods-and-services rate is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. Other payment types, micropayments, and international transfers use different rates, so the calculator lets you edit them.
Why does PayPal cost more than Stripe or Square?
PayPal's 3.49% + $0.49 is higher on both parts than the typical 2.9% + $0.30. The gap is widest on small payments, where the larger fixed fee dominates the effective rate.
How do I charge so I receive an exact amount on PayPal?
Use 'I want to receive an amount' mode; the calculator grosses your target up by the percentage and fixed fee so the payout lands on the figure you need.