PayPal Fee Calculator
What you receive after PayPal fees, or what to charge to receive an exact amount. PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + $0.49 for US sellers, 2.99% + $0.49 for cards, plus international and currency conversion fees. Compared with Stripe and Shopify Payments.
PayPal fees for US sellers, 2026
Published standard rates. Each row links the official page it comes from.
| Payment | Fee |
|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout (PayPal or Venmo) | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Cards through PayPal Checkout | 2.99% + $0.49 |
| Goods and services payments | 2.99% being verified |
| International buyers | + 1.5% being verified |
| Currency conversion | + 3% |
PayPal vs Stripe vs Shopify Payments
What you keep from the same card payment. PayPal: card through PayPal Checkout; Shopify Payments: Basic plan, standard card.
| Payment | PayPal | Stripe | Shopify Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| US card, $100 | $96.52 | $96.80 | $96.80 |
| US card, $25 | $23.76 | $23.97 | $23.97 |
| International card, $100 | $95.02 | $95.30 | $95.80 |
| International card with conversion, $250 | $230.78 | $236.20 | $236.20 |
Rates marked "being verified" are published on one official page so far; see how we verify rates.
Frequently asked
How much does PayPal take from $100?
$3.98 when the buyer pays with PayPal or Venmo through PayPal Checkout (3.49% + $0.49), so you receive $96.02. A card payment through the same checkout costs 2.99% + $0.49: $3.48, leaving $96.52.
What is the PayPal goods and services fee?
2.99% of the payment with no fixed fee for US accounts, according to PayPal's merchant fees page: $2.99 on $100.00. Personal payments to friends and family are free when funded from a balance or bank.
What does PayPal charge for international payments?
1.5% on top of the domestic rate when the buyer is outside the US, plus a 3% spread if PayPal converts the currency. A $100.00 PayPal Checkout payment from abroad that needs conversion leaves you $91.52.
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
For US cards, yes: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 and PayPal 2.99% + $0.49 for a card in its checkout, so on $100.00 you keep $96.80 with Stripe and $96.52 with PayPal. Buyers who pay with a PayPal balance cost 3.49% + $0.49, but many shoppers trust the PayPal button, which can raise conversion.
How do I charge so that I receive an exact amount?
Add the fixed fee to the amount you want and divide by 1 minus the percentage fee, then round up to the cent. To receive $100.00: charge $104.12 through PayPal Checkout or $103.30 on Stripe. Switch the calculator to “I want to receive”.