PayPal Fee Calculator

Calculate PayPal fees for payments, transfers, and international transactions. See exact costs for business and personal accounts before you send or receive money.

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PayPal - Goods & Services Fee Structure

Fixed: $0.49Rate: 3.49%Min: $0.49

Let's be real—PayPal is everywhere. With 400 million users, it's the go-to for online payments, eBay sellers, freelancers, and anyone who needs to send or receive money. But here's the thing: PayPal fees can add up fast if you don't know what you're getting into. That "free" transfer to friends? Only free if you use your bank account. Use a credit card and you're paying 2.9%. Accept a business payment? That's 3.49% + $0.49.

The real fee trap is international transfers. PayPal tacks on a sneaky 2.5-4% currency conversion fee ON TOP of their regular fees. Send $500 to Europe and you could lose $25-35 to fees and poor exchange rates. That's why knowing PayPal's fee structure inside-out matters—especially when cheaper alternatives like Wise exist for international transfers.

Our PayPal fee calculator breaks down exactly what you'll pay before you hit "Send." Whether you're figuring out business invoice costs, calculating what a customer payment will net you, or comparing PayPal to other options—we've got you covered. No surprises, no hidden math.

Want the full breakdown of every PayPal fee? Read how PayPal fees work — our guide covers Friends & Family vs Goods & Services, instant transfers, and international costs. Just sending to friends or family? Use our PayPal Friends & Family calculator instead.

PayPal Fees at a Glance (2026)

Goods and Services (selling)	3.49% + $0.49
Micropayments (under $10)	3.49% + $0.09
QR code / in-person	2.29% + $0.09
Friends and Family (bank or balance)	Free
Friends and Family (card)	2.9% + $0.30
International commercial	4.99% + $0.49
International Friends and Family	5% (max $4.99)
Currency conversion	3-4% above market rate
Instant transfer to bank/card	1.75% (min $0.25, max $25)
Standard withdrawal to bank	Free
Monthly / account fee	$0

US pricing. The Goods and Services fee is paid by the person receiving the money; Friends and Family from a bank account or balance is free. International and currency-converted payments cost more. Verify current rates on PayPal's fee page.

How PayPal Fees Are Calculated

PayPal uses different fee structures depending on the transaction type. For business payments, they charge 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction in the US. Personal transfers between friends and family are free when funded by a bank account, but cost 2.9% when funded by credit or debit cards.

PayPal Fee Types:

Business Payments: 3.49% + $0.49
Personal (Bank): Free
Personal (Card): 2.9% + $0.30

International: Base fee + 2.5-4% conversion
Instant Transfer: 1.75% (min $0.25)
No Monthly Fees: Pay per transaction only

International transactions are where PayPal becomes expensive. In addition to the base transaction fee, PayPal adds a currency conversion fee of 2.5-4% above the market exchange rate. This can make international transfers cost 5-7% total, significantly more than specialized money transfer services.

Example Calculation:

Business payment of $500:

• Payment amount: $500
• Percentage fee: 3.49% = $17.45
• Fixed fee: $0.49
• Total PayPal fee: $17.94
• Amount received: $482.06

Using the PayPal Fee Calculator

Our PayPal fees calculator simulates PayPal's exact fee structure for different transaction types. Enter your payment amount and see instant calculations for business payments, personal transfers, and international transactions. The calculator helps you understand what you'll pay or receive before committing to a transaction.

Key Features:

Business and personal fee calculations
International transfer cost estimates
Multiple currency support
Instant fee breakdowns

Perfect For:

• Online business owners
• Freelancers receiving payments
• Personal money transfers
• International senders
• E-commerce fee planning

The calculator is especially useful for businesses that need to factor PayPal fees into their pricing strategy. Understanding the exact cost helps you decide whether to absorb fees or pass them to customers, and how PayPal costs compare to other payment processors.

Comparing PayPal with Other Options

PayPal's fees are higher than many alternatives, especially for business payments and international transfers. While PayPal offers excellent buyer protection and global recognition, the convenience comes at a premium. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 compared to PayPal's 3.49% + $0.49 for business payments.

PayPal vs Competitors:

PayPal Advantages:

• Worldwide brand recognition
• Strong buyer protection
• Easy setup and integration
• No monthly fees
• Large user base

PayPal Disadvantages:

• Higher fees than alternatives
• Expensive international transfers
• Account holds and limitations
• Poor customer service reputation
• Limited seller protection

For international transfers, PayPal is particularly expensive due to poor exchange rates and high conversion fees. Services like Wise, Remitly, or traditional money transfer companies often cost 3-5x less than PayPal for international transfers. However, PayPal remains popular for its convenience and buyer protection features.

Tips to Save on PayPal Fees

For Personal Use:

• Use bank account funding (free for personal transfers)
• Avoid credit/debit cards for personal transfers
• Use standard transfer vs instant (3-5 days vs immediate)

For Business:

• Consider Stripe or Square for lower fees
• Factor fees into product pricing
• Use PayPal invoicing for better rates

International Transfers:

For international money transfers, strongly consider alternatives like Wise, Remitly, or Western Union. PayPal's international fees can be 3-5x higher than specialized money transfer services, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on larger transfers.

PayPal Pros and Cons: Should You Use It?

Advantages

✓Universal Recognition: 400M+ users worldwide means customers trust and already have PayPal accounts
✓Buyer Protection: Industry-leading purchase protection encourages customer confidence and higher conversion rates
✓Easy Setup: No technical knowledge required—start accepting payments in minutes with simple buttons
✓Mobile Friendly: Venmo integration and mobile app make it perfect for peer-to-peer and mobile commerce
✓Free Personal Transfers: Send money to friends and family for free when using bank accounts

✗Disadvantages

✗Higher Fees: At 3.49% + $0.49, PayPal is more expensive than Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) or Square (2.6% + $0.15)
✗Account Freezes: PayPal notoriously freezes accounts without warning, holding funds for 180 days during investigations
✗Terrible Exchange Rates: International transfers use rates 3-4% worse than market, making cross-border costly
✗Dispute Bias: PayPal often favors buyers in disputes, making sellers vulnerable to fraudulent claims
✗Customer Service: Slow response times and difficulty reaching actual humans for support

PayPal vs. Stripe vs. Square: Which Is Cheaper?

PayPal pioneered online payments but isn't always the most cost-effective choice in 2026. Here's how PayPal stacks up against major competitors for a typical $100 transaction:

Processor	Fee Structure	Fee on $100	You Receive
PayPal	3.49% + $0.49	$3.98	$96.02
Stripe	2.9% + $0.30	$3.20	$96.80
Square	2.6% + $0.10	$2.70	$97.30
Shopify Payments	2.9% + $0.30	$3.20	$96.80

Verdict: PayPal charges 24% more than Stripe and 47% more than Square per transaction. On $10,000 monthly sales, you'd pay $349 to PayPal versus $290 to Stripe—$708 more annually. The convenience and trust of PayPal may justify the premium for some businesses, but most sellers save significantly by offering it as an option alongside cheaper processors.

When to Use PayPal (And When to Avoid It)

PayPal Makes Sense For:

• eBay sellers (required for many transactions)
• Small businesses with non-technical owners
• International marketplaces like Etsy, Fiverr
• Invoicing clients who prefer familiar payment methods

• Personal transfers between friends (free!)
• Buyers who want purchase protection
• Supplemental option alongside Stripe/Square
• Crowdfunding and donation campaigns

Avoid PayPal For:

• International money transfers → Use Wise, Remitly, or Western Union for 50-70% savings
• High-volume businesses → Traditional merchant accounts offer better rates above $50K/month
• Primary payment processor → Use Stripe or Square as main processor, PayPal as backup
• Digital products → PayPal heavily scrutinizes digital goods; Stripe is friendlier
• Large transactions → The 3.49% fee hurts more as transaction size increases

Pro Tip: Don't rely solely on PayPal. Businesses that offer PayPal as one of several payment options (alongside Stripe, Square, or credit cards) see higher conversion rates while minimizing fees. Never hold more than 30 days of operating capital in PayPal due to freeze risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does PayPal charge for payments?

PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49 for business (Goods and Services) payments in the US, and 3.49% + $0.09 on micropayments under $10. Personal Friends and Family transfers are free when funded by a bank account or PayPal balance, but cost 2.9% + $0.30 when funded by a credit or debit card.

Are PayPal personal transfers free?

Yes, Friends and Family transfers funded by a bank account or PayPal balance are free within the US. Using a credit or debit card instead adds a 2.9% + $0.30 fee, and an international Friends and Family payment adds 5% (minimum $0.99, maximum $4.99) plus currency conversion.

What are PayPal international transfer fees?

International payments cost more. A commercial (Goods and Services) international transaction is about 4.99% + $0.49, and an international Friends and Family payment adds 5% (max $4.99). On top of that, currency conversion adds roughly 3-4% above the market rate, so a cross-border PayPal transfer often totals 5-8% - making it one of the pricier options versus a specialist like Wise.

Does PayPal charge monthly fees?

PayPal doesn't charge monthly fees for personal or business accounts. You only pay transaction fees when you receive payments, send money internationally, or use instant transfers. There are no account maintenance or setup fees.

How much is the PayPal fee for $100, $500 or $1,000?

For a Goods and Services payment (3.49% + $0.49): $100 costs $3.98 (you net $96.02), $500 costs $17.94 ($482.06), and $1,000 costs $35.39 ($964.61). A Friends and Family transfer from your bank or balance is free at any amount. Card-funded Friends and Family is 2.9% + $0.30, and international or currency-converted payments cost more. Use the calculator above for your exact amount and payment type.

Who pays the PayPal fee - the sender or the receiver?

For a Goods and Services payment, the receiver (seller) pays the fee - it is deducted from the amount they receive, so a $100 sale nets them about $96. For a card-funded Friends and Family payment, the sender pays the fee. PayPal does not officially let you pass the Goods and Services fee to the buyer, though some sellers build it into their price.

Does PayPal charge a fee for Friends and Family?

No - if you send Friends and Family from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account within the US, it is completely free. A fee only applies if you fund it with a credit or debit card (2.9% + $0.30) or send it internationally (5%, max $4.99, plus currency conversion). Never use Friends and Family to pay a seller, because it has no buyer protection.

What is the PayPal Goods and Services fee?

The standard PayPal Goods and Services fee in the US is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction, paid by the person receiving the money. Payments under $10 use the micropayment rate of 3.49% + $0.09, which is cheaper on very small sales. International sales and currency conversion add further fees. This is the fee that applies whenever you sell something or accept a business payment.

Do you have to pay to use PayPal?

Opening and keeping a PayPal account is free - there is no monthly fee, setup fee or minimum balance. Sending money to friends and family from your bank or balance is also free. You only pay a fee when you receive a Goods and Services payment (3.49% + $0.49), pay by card, send internationally, or cash out instantly (1.75%).

Last Updated: June 2026 | PayPal US: Goods & Services 3.49% + $0.49 (receiver pays), Friends & Family free from bank/balance (card 2.9% + $0.30), international +5%, instant transfer 1.75%. No monthly fee. Verify on PayPal's fee page.