This PayPal fee calculator shows the fee on a US PayPal payment and what you receive, using PayPal’s published rates. It can also work backward to tell you how much to charge so you receive an exact amount after fees.
US PayPal fees
| Payment type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Goods and services payment received | 2.99% |
| PayPal Checkout, Venmo and invoices paid with PayPal | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Credit and debit card payments | 2.99% + $0.49 |
| International commercial payments | Extra 1.5% |
| Friends and family from balance or bank | Free |
| Friends and family funded by card | 2.90% + $0.30, paid by the sender |
| Instant transfer to your bank | 1.75% (min $0.25, max $25) |
How to work out what to charge
Amount to charge = (amount you want + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage fee)
Simply adding the fee on top is not enough, because PayPal charges its percentage on the higher total.
Worked example
A $100 PayPal Checkout payment costs 3.49% + $0.49 = $3.98, so you receive $96.02. To receive a full $100, you would need to charge $104.12.
Why use goods and services?
Goods and services payments come with PayPal Purchase Protection for buyers and Seller Protection for eligible sellers. Friends and family payments do not, so they should not be used to pay for purchases.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge for goods and services?
For a goods and services payment received in the US, PayPal’s published rate is 2.99%. Payments through PayPal Checkout or invoices cost 3.49% plus $0.49.
Who pays the PayPal fee?
The seller or recipient pays on commercial payments. For friends and family payments funded by a card, the sender pays.
Is it legal to add the PayPal fee to the price?
In the US, surcharging rules vary by state and PayPal’s user agreement has limits; many sellers raise prices slightly instead of adding a separate fee.
Does PayPal refund its fee if I refund a sale?
PayPal generally keeps the fixed fee and may keep the percentage too. Check the refund terms in your account.
Related calculators
Sources
Last reviewed: October 2026. For information only; not financial, tax or legal advice.