🇺🇸 PayPal Fee Calculator US
Work out PayPal transaction fees in the United States!
Up-to-date as of Aug 15 2024
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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 | ||
| 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 |
|---|---|
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 |
|---|---|
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.