Fees come out of every sale. Here is how to calculate them and how to price so you receive what you need.
Updated November 2026
How processor fees work
Most payment processors charge a percentage of each sale plus a fixed fee. The amounts depend on your country, payment type and account, so the numbers here are an example. Always use the rates on your own fee schedule. The PayPal fee calculator lets you enter your own percentage and fixed fee.
Fee on a sale
Take a $100 sale with a 3.49 percent plus $0.49 fee. The percentage part is $3.49 and the fixed part is $0.49, so the fee is $3.98. You receive $96.02, an effective rate of 3.98 percent. On small sales the fixed fee matters more: on a $10 sale the same schedule costs $0.84, which is 8.4 percent.
How much to charge to receive an exact amount
To net a specific amount X, work backward:
To receive exactly $100 with the example rates, charge (100 + 0.49) / (1 – 0.0349) = $104.12. The fee on that charge is $4.12. Do not just add 3.49 percent to $100, because the fee is also charged on the fee.
Excel formulas
With the amount in B1, percentage in B2 (as 0.0349) and fixed fee in B3: =B1*B2+B3 for the fee, =B1-(B1*B2+B3) for what you keep and =(B1+B3)/(1-B2) for the charge needed to net B1.
Before you pass fees to customers
- Check card network, marketplace and local rules. Surcharging is restricted in some places.
- Many sellers instead build the fee into the price.
- Include currency conversion, cross-border and dispute fees in your margin.
For sales tax, see the GST calculator.
These are illustrations to help you plan, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate PayPal fees?
Fee = amount x percentage + fixed fee. With 3.49 percent plus $0.49 on $100 the fee is $3.98.
How do I charge enough to receive a set amount?
Use (amount + fixed fee) / (1 – percentage). To net $100 charge about $104.12 at the example rates.
Are the example rates current?
They are an example. Use the fees on your own schedule.
Why do small sales cost more in percentage terms?
The fixed fee is a larger share of a small amount.