PayPal Fee Calculator
Estimate PayPal fees per payment and across monthly payment volume with editable rate assumptions.
Use this PayPal fee calculator when you need quick planning math for PayPal checkout, invoices, payment buttons, and online seller payment planning. The defaults reflect public pricing signals reviewed on 2026-05-30, but every input is editable because provider pricing can vary by plan, payment method, country, and custom quote.
- PayPal has multiple merchant fee categories; edit the defaults to match the transaction type and account terms.
- Use this as planning math, not a live quote.
- Edit the rate and fixed fee to match your plan, payment method, country, and negotiated pricing.
Formula:((average payment amount x percentage fee) + fixed fee) x monthly payments + monthly platform fee.
Last reviewed:2026-05-30
Sources: PayPal merchant fees, PayPal Payouts
When to use this
Estimate PayPal payment processing costs before comparing processors, invoice tools, checkout options, or merchant quotes.
What you get
At $100 per payment, 3.49% + $0.49 costs about $3.98 per payment. At 250 monthly payments, estimated monthly fees are about $995.
Useful next step
Use the estimate to compare options, pressure-test pricing, or decide which fee model deserves a closer look.
Problems this helps with
- Need to understand PayPal fees before choosing a payment setup
- Fixed fees can matter more on low-ticket payments
- Monthly volume turns a small rate difference into real margin impact
- Provider pages can split fees across card-present, online, keyed, invoice, and payout use cases
Example estimate
At $100 per payment, 3.49% + $0.49 costs about $3.98 per payment. At 250 monthly payments, estimated monthly fees are about $995.
PayPal Fee Calculator examples
Processor-specific inputs
Online checkout
Use case: Card-not-present ecommerce or payment links
Rate to enter: 3.49% + $0.49
Start with the default, then edit it to match your actual plan.
Invoice payments
Use case: Client invoices and service-business bills
Rate to enter: Often similar to online card rates, depending on provider
Increase average payment amount to see invoice impact.
In-person payments
Use case: POS, tap, dip, swipe, or reader payments
Rate to enter: Often different from online rates
Edit the rate if card-present pricing applies.
Sample calculations
PayPal default
- Amount
- $100 x 250
- Rate
- 3.49% + $0.49
- Result
- $995 monthly
Uses the editable default assumptions on this page.
Low-ticket payments
- Amount
- $25 x 500
- Rate
- 3.49% + $0.49
- Result
- $681 monthly
Shows why fixed fees matter for small orders.
Higher-ticket invoices
- Amount
- $500 x 50
- Rate
- 3.49% + $0.49
- Result
- $897 monthly
Shows how percentage fees dominate larger payments.
Fee table
| Scenario | Default input | Estimated fee | Use this when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single payment | $100 at 3.49% + $0.49 | $3.98 | You need the fee on one payment |
| Monthly volume | 250 payments/month | $995 | You need monthly payment cost |
| Low-ticket check | $25 average payment | $1.36 each | You sell small orders or tickets |
| High-ticket check | $500 average payment | $17.94 each | You invoice larger client payments |
Provider fees can change and may differ by payment method, plan, geography, volume, and custom pricing. Confirm current terms before switching.
Compare card processing fees
Continue with a related tool or comparison that helps turn the estimate into a clearer decision.
Related fee calculators
FAQ
How do I calculate PayPal fees?
Multiply the payment amount by the percentage fee, add any fixed fee, multiply by monthly transaction count, and add monthly platform fees if applicable.
Are the PayPal defaults live pricing?
No. They are editable planning assumptions based on public pricing references reviewed on 2026-05-30. Confirm current rates with the provider before making a decision.
Why do online, invoice, and in-person fees differ?
Processors price payment methods differently because card-present risk, online fraud risk, wallet payments, invoicing, international cards, and custom volume pricing can all affect cost.
Should I compare this with a generic credit card fee calculator?
Yes. Use this page for provider-specific assumptions, then use the main credit card fee calculator to compare several rate and fixed-fee scenarios side by side.