🇺🇸 PayPal Fee Calculator US

Work out PayPal transaction fees in the United States!

Up-to-date as of Jan 02 2023

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How to calculate PayPal USA transaction fees

PayPal serves consumers and merchants (business owners) like any other payment processor. Consumers refer to the customers or buyers, while merchants refer to the sellers or service providers. You are considered a consumer if you buy something online or offline using PayPal.

For merchants, PayPal offers both online and point-of-sale products. Each product charges a different rate, and some have an additional fixed fee per transaction. Any transaction made through American Express might be discounted. International transactions cost more for merchants and consumers, depending on multiple factors.

The standard fee for merchants is 3.49% plus 49¢ per domestic non-American Express transaction, while a charity’s transaction fee starts from 1.99% plus 49¢ per transaction. The Goods and Services fee is 2.89% plus 49¢ for each domestic transaction.

Let’s do some manual calculations to work out the exact amount:

  • If a buyer pays $100 for an order, PayPal will take ($100 x 0.0349) + $0.49 = $3.98, and the merchant will receive $100 – $3.98 = $96.02
  • The international fees will be ($100 x 0.0499) + $0.49 = $5.48, and the merchant will receive $100 – $5.48 = $94.52
  • In the case of a charity transaction, PayPal’s total fees will be ($100 x 0.0199) + $0.49 = $2.48, and the nonprofit will receive $100 – $2.48 = $97.52
  • For a Goods and Services transaction, the PayPal transaction fee will be ($100 x 0.0289) + $0.49 = $3.38, and the merchant gets $100 – $3.38 = $96.62

PayPal processing fees are simpler for consumers. Buying something or making personal payments through PayPal is free if you use the same currency (USD for USD, etc.). Sending money within the USA and withdrawing to a PayPal balance or local bank account is free. International payments might cost more.

For more information on PayPal fees, check out PayPal merchant fees or PayPal consumer fees.

Use the free PayPal calculator above to calculate your PayPal online transaction fees.

PayPal merchant fee structure

Also known as PayPal seller fees, a merchant rate is usually split into two parts: a percentage rate and a fixed fee.
The fixed fee differs for each transaction and currency, whereas the percentage rate only varies for the different transaction types.

It is important to note that if you have a personal PayPal account and sold a product or service with the fund being processed through PayPal, you are classified as a merchant.

Commercial transaction fees

Also known as the PayPal standard rate. There is no additional international fee for funds processed through American Express. The fixed fee will vary based on the currency if the payment currency is not in USD. PayPal will also convert the payment to your account’s currency according to the market rate (sort of).

For more information, please refer to PayPal website payments.

Payment type Card processor Domestic transaction International transaction
Other Standard rate 2.9% plus $0.30 3.49% plus $0.49 4.4% plus $0.30 4.99% plus $0.49
American Express 3.49% plus $0.49
Invoicing Other 3.49% plus $0.49 4.99% plus $0.49
American Express 3.49% plus $0.49
PayPal Checkout Other 3.49% plus $0.49 4.99% plus $0.49
American Express 3.49% plus $0.49
PayPal Guest Checkout Other 3.49% plus $0.49 4.99% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5%
QR code Other $10.01 and above
1.9% plus $0.10

$10.00 and below
2.4% plus $0.05
$10.01 and above
3.4% plus $0.10

$10.00 and below
3.9% plus $0.05
American Express $10.01 and above
1.9% plus $0.10

$10.00 and below
2.4% plus $0.05
Pay with Venmo Other 3.49% plus $0.49 4.99% plus $0.49
American Express 3.49% plus $0.49
Send/Receive Money for Goods and Services Other 2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49
American Express 2.89% plus $0.49
Standard Credit and Debit Card Payments Other 2.99% plus $0.49 4.49% plus $0.49
American Express 2.99% plus $0.49

Donation transaction fees

Donation transaction is different from charity transactions. It refers to the ‘Donate’ button you see on some websites for receiving donations.

Domestic transaction International transaction
2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49

Charity transaction fees

There are further discounts if you are verified as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.

Domestic transaction International transaction
2.2% plus $0.30 1.99% plus $0.49 3.7% plus $0.30 3.49% plus $0.49

Alternative Payment Method fees

Alternative payment methods allow customers across the globe to pay with their bank accounts, wallets, and other local payment methods.

Domestic transaction International transaction
2.59% plus $0.49 4.09% plus $0.49

PayPal Here fees

Similar to the Square reader, PayPal Here is the point-of-sale card reader offered to physical store sellers. There are no startup costs, no termination fees, and no monthly fees.

For more information, please refer to PayPal Here in America.

Payment type Domestic transaction International transaction
Card Present
PayPal (In Store)
QR code
2.7% 4.2%
Keyed or Scanned 3.5% plus $0.15 5% plus $0.15

PayPal Online Card Payment Services

Payment type Card processor Domestic transaction International transaction
Advanced Credit and Debit Card Payments Other 2.59% plus $0.49 4.09% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%
Payments Advanced Any 2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49
Payments Pro Other 2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%
Virtual Terminal Other 3.09% plus $0.49 4.59% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%

PayPal Online Card Payment Services – Charity

Payment type Card processor Domestic transaction International transaction
Advanced Credit and Debit Card Payments Other 2.59% plus $0.49 4.09% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%
Payments Advanced Any 2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49
Payments Pro Other 1.99% plus $0.49 3.49% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%
Virtual Terminal Other 2.39% plus $0.49 3.89% plus $0.49
American Express 3.5% 3.5%

Payflow Pro

For more information, refer to Payflow Payment Gateway.

Domestic transaction International transaction
0% plus $0.10

PayPal Zettle

PayPal Zettle is the new POS solution for retail businesses. It replaces PayPal Here in some ways.

For more information, refer to PayPal Zettle.

Payment type Domestic transaction International transaction
Card Present
QR code
2.29% plus $0.09
Keyed 3.49% plus $0.09

PayPal Payouts

Domestic transaction International transaction
2% plus $0.09 (max fee of $1.00 USD)

When using the Payouts API
$0.25
2% plus $0.09 (max fee of $20.00 USD)

Micropayments

If your transactions are less than $10 and you qualified for Micropayments.

Domestic transaction International transaction
5% plus $0.05 4.99% plus $0.09 6.5% plus $0.05 6.49% plus $0.09

PayPal consumer fees

Buying with PayPal

You don’t have to pay extra fees to purchase something through PayPal. The merchant bears the cost.

Buying and selling cryptocurrencies

You can now buy and sell crypto on PayPal. The fees are based on your transaction amount. A crypto conversion spread, typically 0.50%, will also be charged per transaction. You can hold cryptocurrencies in your PayPal account without additional fees.

Between October 26 to December 31, 2021, a crypto purchase or sale of over $5,000 USD will be charged a lower fee.

Purchase or sale amount Rate
$1.00 – $24.99 USD $0.50
$25.00 – $100.00 USD 2.30%
$100.01 – $200.00 USD 2.00%
$200.01 – $1000.00 USD 1.80%
$1000.01 USD 1.50%

Receiving donations

In the United States Outside the United States
2.89% plus $0.49 4.39% plus $0.49

Sending money

To In the United States Outside the United States
PayPal account balance or an US bank account 0% 5%
A minimum international fee of $0.99 USD
A maximum international fee of $4.99 USD
Cards 2.90% plus $0.30 2.90% + 5% plus $0.30
A minimum international fee of $0.99 USD
A maximum international fee of $4.99 USD
Amex Send™ Account 0% 5%
A minimum international fee of $0.99 USD
A maximum international fee of $4.99 USD

Receiving money

There is no fee for receiving money. The sender will bear the cost if there is any.

Withdrawals out of PayPal

Withdrawal/Transfer to Rate
Bank account Local Account
0%

Instant
1.5%
Cards Instant
1.5%
Checks $1.50

FAQs

How do I calculate PayPal fees in the USA?

PayPal charge 3.49% plus $0.49 for a domestic commercial transaction. You multiply the total transaction amount by the percentage rate and then add 49 cents for each transaction.

How much is the PayPal fee for $100 in the USA?

If it's a domestic commercial transaction, you get $96.02, and PayPal takes $3.98 (3.49% plus $0.49).
If it's an international commercial transaction, you get $94.52, and PayPal takes $5.48 (4.99% plus $0.49).

What are the PayPal Goods and Services fees in the USA?

The fee is 2.89% + 30 cents for each Goods and Services domestic transaction. For international G&S sales, it is 4.39% plus 49 cents.

What are the PayPal customer fees in the USA?

There is no charge if you are paying with PayPal.

Is PayPal free for consumers in the USA?

PayPal is free for most personal transactions, such as buying with PayPal and receiving money from friends and family. If you send money, withdraw money from PayPal or buy cryptocurrencies on PayPal, there might be fees.