# 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.

Rates checked 2026-10-31. US accounts, USD.

| 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% |
| International buyers | + 1.5% |
| Currency conversion | + 3% |

## What you keep from the same card payment

| Payment | PayPal | Stripe | Shopify Payments (Basic) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |

## FAQ

### 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”.