PayPal fee calculator
Calculating PayPal fees shouldn't feel like solving a puzzle with ever-changing pieces. Whether you are a freelancer sending your first invoice or a business owner scaling global sales, knowing exactly how much will land in your bank account is vital for your bottom line.
While PayPal offers a secure platform for eCommerce, its fee structure, including international charges and currency conversion markups, can erode your profits quickly.
To protect your margins, you can move your PayPal balance into an Airwallex Business Account to convert currencies at interbank rates without expensive foreign exchange (FX) markups. Use this calculator to see the actual amount you keep after PayPal fees, including the standard rate, fixed fee, cross-border surcharge, and currency conversion fee.
USDYou will receive
GBPHow to use the PayPal fee calculator
Using our PayPal fee calculator is a straightforward way to understand what your total fees will be. To get an accurate result, you typically need two pieces of information:
- • The Gross Amount: The total amount being sent to you.
- • The Transaction Type: Whether this is a domestic sale, an international payment, or a QR code scan.
Our PayPal calculator will show you the total fee that PayPal keeps and the net amount that you actually receive.
Save on bank and transfer fees with the Airwallex Business Account
Type of PayPal fees
PayPal categorizes costs based on how money moves. While buying online is typically free for consumers, sellers and international senders encounter a combination of percentage-based rates and fixed fees.
Commercial transaction fees: These apply when selling goods or services. Most US businesses pay between 2.99% and 3.49%, plus a fixed fee of US$0.49.
Personal payments: Sending money to friends or family is free when using a bank account or PayPal balance domestically. Payments funded by a credit card carry a fee.
Withdrawal fees: Standard bank transfers are free, while instant transfers to a debit card incur a 1.75% fee, capped at $25.
International surcharges: Cross-border payments add a 1.50% surcharge on top of standard merchant rates.
Currency conversion: PayPal adds a spread of 3% to 4% above the mid-market exchange rate when you convert currencies.
Goods and Services Fees
If you are a business or selling an item, the fee depends on the specific payment method the customer chooses.
Goods & Services Fees
Goods and Services Fees
If you are a business or selling an item, the fee depends on the specific payment method the customer chooses.
Consumer & Personal Fees
Consumer and Personal Fees
For everyday users sending friends and family payments or withdrawing their own money.
Fixed Fees by Currency
Fixed Fees by Currency
The fixed fee portion of a transaction is determined by the currency of the payment received.
International & Cross-Border Fees
For US-based sellers receiving money from another country, PayPal applies a cross-border surcharge in addition to the standard domestic rate. International Calculation
- • The Formula: Domestic Rate + 1.5% International Surcharge + Fixed Fee.
- • Example for Invoice: ($3.49% + 1.5%) + 0.49
If you receive a payment in a foreign currency and convert it to USD, PayPal adds a "hidden" spread of 3% to 4% above the mid-market exchange rate. This cost is built into the exchange rate you are offered rather than being listed as a separate fee.
How to calculate PayPal fees
To calculate your fees manually, here is a simple formula: (Total Times * Percentage) + Fixed Fee = Total Fee
For a standard domestic business transaction in the US, the rate is often 2.99% + $0.49.
If you want to calculate the amount you need to charge a client to receive a specific "Net" amount, use this formula:
Amount to Ask = ( Desired Net + Fixed Fee)/(1 - Percentage)
PayPal vs Airwallex comparison
The primary difference between PayPal and Airwallex lies in their financial architecture. PayPal operates as a familiar consumer-facing digital wallet, whereas Airwallex is a B2B financial operating system built to eliminate the high costs often associated with global growth.
When you compare PayPal and Airwallex's Business Accounts, you will see that while PayPal serves as an effective "buy button" to capture retail shoppers, it often relies on slow SWIFT transfers and currency markups between 3% and 4%.
We use local payment rails in 120+ countries to treat international transfers like domestic ones. This lets you access interbank FX rates and same-day settlement for approximately 93% of transactions. Both platforms provide core business essentials, including business debit cards, integrations with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks, and robust, PCI-compliant security. You can even use them together. Connecting your PayPal account to our platform lets you capture customer trust at checkout while using our backend to manage your global payouts, handle FX conversions, and protect your profit margins.
Sending $10,000 USD to the UK (GBP) through Airwallex vs. PayPal
Sending $10,000 USD domestically in the US
These are the associated costs if you are sending money to a vendor or partner within the US.
PayPal: Sent as a "Commercial Payment, the fee is 3.49% + $0.49. Total Cost is $349.49
Airwallex: Domestic ACH transfers are typically free. Total Cost is $0
Airwallex Business Accounts are trusted by 200,000+ businesses
Frequently asked questions about PayPal fees
What is a PayPal fee calculator?
A PayPal fee calculator is a tool that automates the math behind PayPal’s complex fee schedules. It accounts for current rates, including the variations between merchant services, standard invoices, and international transfers.
Why do I need a PayPal fee calculator？
PayPal charges the seller 2.99% for most domestic Goods and Services transactions. However, if you use PayPal Checkout or Invoicing, that rate often increases to 3.49% + $0.49.
How much does PayPal charge to receive money?
Paypal charges most domestic Goods and Services transactions; the seller is charged 2.99%. However, if you use PayPal Checkout or Invoicing, that rate often jumps to 3.49% + $0.49.
Is there a fee for Friends and Family?
Usually, there is no fee for "Friends and Family" payments if you use a linked bank account or your PayPal balance. However, if you fund a personal payment with a debit or credit card, PayPal charges a fee, typically 2.90% + $0.30, to cover the card processing costs
What is the PayPal fee for Goods and Services?
The standard PayPal domestic rate is 2.99%. Unlike personal transfers, the recipient or seller always pays this fee. In exchange, the transaction is covered by PayPal’s Purchase Protection.
How much does PayPal charge for invoices?
The standard rate for PayPal Invoices is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction for domestic payments.
What is the fee for international payments?
For PayPal, the International transactions incur an additional 1.50% surcharge on top of the standard fee. If currency conversion is required, PayPal typically adds a 3% to 4% spread above the base exchange rate.
Are PayPal fees tax-deductible?
Yes. If you are a business owner or freelancer, PayPal transaction fees are considered a "necessary cost of business" by the IRS and can be deducted as a business expense.
Does PayPal refund the fee if I issue a refund?
No, PayPal retains the original processing fee when you issue a full or partial refund to a buyer. While the buyer receives their full payment back, the transaction costs are deducted from your account balance rather than being reversed by the platform.
For example, if you sell a vintage camera for $100.
Original Transaction: PayPal charges you a standard fee, 2.99% + $0.49, which is $3.48. You receive $96.52 in your account.
The Refund: If the buyer requests a full refund and you grant it, PayPal will return the full $100 to the buyer.
The Result: PayPal takes the $96.52 you received and the remaining $3.48 from your balance to make the buyer whole. You have now lost $3.48 on a sale that didn't happen.
How can I avoid or lower my PayPal fees?
Use Standard Transfers: Avoid the "Instant Transfer" fee by waiting 1–3 days for your money.
Apply for Micropayments: If you sell items under $10, ask PayPal for the micropayment rate (5% + $0.05).
Request "Friends and Family": Only for non-business transfers with people you trust.
Accept QR Codes: In-person QR code payments often have a lower rate (roughly 2.29% + $0.09).
How much is the PayPal fee for $100?
For a standard domestic "Goods and Services" payment:
Percentage (2.99%): $2.99
Fixed Fee: $0.49
Total Fee: $3.48
You Receive: $96.52
How much does PayPal take out of $1000?
For a standard domestic "Goods and Services" payment:
Percentage (2.99%): $29.90
Fixed Fee: $0.49
Total Fee: $30.39
You Receive: $969.61
Is there a maximum fee for instant transfers to my bank?
Yes, while PayPal’s instant transfer fee is 1.75%, the total cost is capped at $25.00. This means if you transfer $5,000, you only pay $25 instead of the full 1.75%, which costs $87.50.
What are the fees for micropayments under $10?
Standard fees eat up small margins. If you switch to the Micropayments tier, the fee is 5% + $0.05.
Example: On a $5.00 sale, the standard fee is $0.64, but the micropayment fee is only $0.30.