PayPal fee calculator shows exactly how much PayPal takes from each sale, so you can work out what’s left in your account. Here’s how the numbers are built, with worked examples and the spots where fees rise or fall depending on the transaction type.
The method, explained
PayPal fees are the slice it keeps every time money moves through its system, a percentage plus a fixed pence amount. In the UK, most sales cost 2.9% + £0.30 per transaction, though refunds, international transfers and charity donations alter the rate.
These figures come straight from PayPal’s published rate cards, which update every few weeks. Each rate is shown as a percentage of the sale plus a fixed fee, so you add them to get the total cost. The fixed fee covers card processing and admin, while the percentage covers the risk PayPal takes on each sale.
Sell a £50 hoodie and PayPal’s fee is 2.9% of £50 (£1.45) plus £0.30, totalling £1.75. You end up with £48.25 in your account. Want to net exactly £50? List the item at £51.75 before fees. A PayPal fee calculator confirms the figure in seconds.
Watch for edges like currency conversions, micro-payments under £10, or a special merchant rate. Charities often pay less, but most personal or small-business sales sit in the standard band. Always check PayPal’s latest table before you quote prices.
Doing it by hand
- Enter the amount being sent to you.
- Adjust the fee rate and fixed fee to match your account if needed.
- Read the fee, what you receive, and what to request to net the full amount.
Fee = amount × rate% + fixed · Receive = amount − feePayPal vs Stripe vs Credit Card Fees Comparison
| Fee Type | PayPal | Stripe | Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Transaction (2.9% + $0.30) | $32.90 | $32.90 | $32.90 |
| International Transaction (4.4% + $0.30) | $46.30 | $44.30 | $N/A |
| Micropayment (<$10) | 5% + $0.05 | 5% + $0.05 | N/A |
| Chargeback Fee | $20 | $15 | $0-$50 |
| Withdrawal to Bank (Instant) | 1% ($10 min) | 1% ($10 min) | N/A |
What this changes in practice
Miss the fixed fee and a £30 sale can cost twice as much as planned once the £0.30 kicks in. Shops that quote prices including fees risk angry buyers when the total jumps by 30p, and refunds or chargebacks eat further into the margin. Getting the sums right stops those surprises from turning into real losses.
A couple of real cases
£75 t-shirt sale
Start with £75. Work out 2.9% of £75, which is £2.175. Round to £2.18. Add the fixed £0.30 to get £2.48 in fees. You receive £72.52. If you want to net £75, add £2.48 to your target, so price the shirt at £77.48 before PayPal takes its cut.
£4.99 e-book
2.9% of £4.99 is £0.14471, rounded to £0.14. Add £0.30 to get £0.44 in fees. The customer pays £4.99, but you only get £4.55. Watch out—selling cheap digital items can leave you out of pocket if you don’t adjust the price up by at least £0.44.
Mistakes people make
| Common mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| forgetting the fixed £0.30 on small sales | Add £0.30 to every sale, even if it’s £1.00—otherwise you’re giving away money. |
| pricing with VAT but not PayPal fees | Check if your quoted price includes VAT already, then add PayPal’s cut on top so the total the customer sees stays the same. |
| using the percentage only and ignoring rounding | Round the percentage to two decimals before adding the fixed fee—otherwise the total can drift by a penny or two each time. |
Tools that do this for you
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| PayPal Fee Calculator | See the PayPal fee, what you actually receive, and what to charge to net a target amount. |
Try the PayPal Fee Calculator
Skip the manual maths — enter your numbers and get the answer instantly.
Open the PayPal Fee Calculator →Worth remembering
Small differences in interest rate, term or timing can add up to large sums over the years. Before committing to any financial decision, run a few different scenarios so you can see the full picture and choose with confidence.
The short version
- Paypal fee calculator is straightforward once you know the method.
- The free PayPal Fee Calculator does the working out for you instantly.
- Bookmark it — no sign-up, no download, and it works on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How is the PayPal fee calculated?
The fee is the amount multiplied by the percentage rate, plus the fixed fee. With the defaults, a $100 payment gives 100 x 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20, so you receive $96.80. Both the rate and the fixed fee can be changed to match your account.
Are the default 2.9% and $0.30 always correct?
No. That is the standard commercial online rate and a useful starting point, but real PayPal fees differ by country, currency, cross-border status, funding source and account type. Check the rate that applies to your situation and enter it for an accurate figure.
How much should I charge to receive an exact amount?
Because the fee comes out of what is sent, you must charge more than your target to net it in full. The calculator shows this grossed-up amount, so if you want to end up with a specific sum you know exactly what to request.
Does this include currency conversion or cross-border fees?
No. The tool applies only the single percentage and fixed fee you enter. PayPal often adds separate currency-conversion spreads and cross-border surcharges, so international payments can cost more than this basic estimate suggests.
Is the result an official PayPal quote?
No. It is an estimate based purely on the numbers you type in. Use it for quick planning and pricing, but rely on PayPal itself for the exact fee charged on any real transaction.
