The short answer: a buyer paying you for goods or services from a personal account costs you 2.99%, with no fixed fee. PayPal Checkout on a business account costs 3.49% + $0.49, and standard card payments 2.99% + $0.49. On a $100 Checkout payment you receive $96.02. To receive a full $100, ask for $104.13.
Seller fee calculator
You receive
$96.02
Fees $3.98, which is 4.0% of the $100.00 sale ($3.98 ÷ $100.00)
PayPal charges on the full payment, including any shipping and tax you collect. Refunds do not return the fee.
Buyer location and currency
Fees verified Oct 20, 2026 from each platform's own fee pages. Each line links to its source.
PayPal rates by how the buyer pays
| How the buyer pays | Rate | Fixed fee | International buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Guest checkout (card, no PayPal account) | 3.49% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Venmo | 3.49% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Pay Later | 4.99% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Standard card payments | 2.99% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Goods and services (personal account) | 2.99% | None | +1.5% |
| QR code | 2.29% | $0.09 | +1.5% |
| Invoice paid with PayPal or Venmo | 3.49% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Invoice paid by card or Apple Pay | 2.99% | $0.49 | +1.5% |
| Invoice paid by bank (ACH) | 1%, max $10.00 | None | No add-on listed |
| Advanced card payments (on approval) | 2.89% | $0.29 | +1.5% |
Invoices cost the same as the matching checkout method, except a bank (ACH) payment on an invoice: 1%, capped at $10. That makes ACH the cheapest way to get paid on a large invoice.
Goods and services fees on a personal account
When someone pays you through “goods and services” from a personal PayPal account, you pay 2.99% of the payment, with no fixed fee.
With no fixed fee, small payments cost the same share as big ones: $0.60 on $20, $59.80 on $2,000.
What to charge to receive a set amount
PayPal takes its percentage from the full payment, so adding the fee on top is not enough: you also pay the fee on the fee. The right price is (amount you want + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − rate). The calculator’s “I want to receive” button does this for you.
| To receive | Goods and services | PayPal Checkout | Standard card |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $51.55 | $52.32 | $52.05 |
| $100 | $103.09 | $104.13 | $103.59 |
| $500 | $515.42 | $518.59 | $515.92 |
International buyers and currency
A buyer outside the US adds 1.5% to the domestic rate. On a $100 Checkout payment that takes the fee from $3.98 to $5.48.
If the payment arrives in another currency and PayPal converts it, PayPal builds a 3% spread into the exchange rate. You won’t see it as a separate fee, only as a lower amount. The fixed fee also depends on the currency you receive:
| Fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee per commercial/invoicing transaction, received in USD | $0.49 | added to % for Checkout, Guest, Venmo, Pay Later, standard card, invoicing, Payments Pro/Advanced |
| Fixed fee per commercial transaction, received in CAD (US account) | $0.59 CAD | |
| Fixed fee for QR code transactions, USD | $0.09 | |
| Fixed fee for QR code transactions, CAD | $0.11 CAD | |
| Fixed fee for ACDC and Virtual Terminal, USD | $0.29 | |
| Fixed fee for ACDC and Virtual Terminal, CAD | $0.39 CAD |
Refunds, disputes and payouts
- Refunds keep the fee. If you refund a buyer, PayPal does not give its fee back.
- Disputes and chargebacks have their own fees, below.
- Moving money to your bank is free on a standard transfer. Instant transfer costs a percentage.
| Fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Chargeback fee (card transactions not via PayPal account or guest checkout) | $20.00 | |
| Standard Dispute Fee | $15.00 | |
| High Volume Dispute Fee | $30.00 | |
| Refunds: fees not returned | Rule | |
| Standard withdrawal to bank or debit card | Free | |
| Instant transfer to bank or debit card (business) | 1.5%, min $0.50 | amount transferred |
When PayPal is the wrong tool
PayPal is a payment method, not a marketplace: it brings you no buyers. If you sell often from your own site, compare it with a full store in your own online store’s cost per order. Taking payments in person? See PayPal’s point-of-sale fees and Stripe vs PayPal. To weigh PayPal against selling on a marketplace, compare the same sale everywhere. Buyers paying you in an app? See Venmo’s seller fees and Cash App’s fees.
Honest Fees is independent and not affiliated with PayPal. Go to the official site.
Common questions
What is the PayPal fee for goods and services?
In the US, 2.99% of the payment, with no fixed fee, when paid from a personal account. On a $100 payment that is $2.99. Business accounts using PayPal Checkout pay 3.49% + $0.49.
How do I calculate what to charge on PayPal?
Add the fixed fee to the amount you want, then divide by one minus the rate. For PayPal Checkout to receive $100: ($100 + $0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0349) = $104.13.
Does PayPal charge a fee for invoices?
Yes, the same as the matching checkout method: 3.49% + $0.49 if paid with PayPal or Venmo, 2.99% + $0.49 by card. A bank (ACH) payment on an invoice costs 1%, capped at $10.
Does PayPal refund its fee when I refund a buyer?
No. PayPal keeps its transaction fee when you refund a payment, in full or in part.
How much does PayPal charge for international payments?
A buyer outside the US adds 1.5% to the domestic rate. If PayPal also converts the currency, it builds a 3% spread into the exchange rate.
Get told when these prices change
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