Use the PayPal fee calculator to estimate total fees and the exact amount to charge or the net you’ll receive. This helps you account for the PayPal Goods & Services fee and optional instant transfer costs.
PayPal Fee Formulas explained
1) When you know the amount you’re charging (gross amount)
Fee = (Amount × Fee Rate) + Fixed Fee
Net Received = Amount − Fee
Example:
Fee Rate = 2.99% = 0.0299
Fixed Fee = 0.49
Amount = 100
Fee = (100 × 0.0299) + 0.49 = 3.49
Net Received = 100 − 3.49 = 96.51
2) When you want to receive a specific net amount
Amount to Charge = (Desired Net + Fixed Fee) ÷ (1 − Fee Rate)
Fee = Amount to Charge − Desired Net
Example:
Desired Net = 100
Fee Rate = 2.99% = 0.0299
Fixed Fee = 0.49
Amount to Charge = (100 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0299) = 103.59
Fee = 103.59 − 100 = 3.59
3) If Instant Transfer applies
Instant Transfer Fee = Net Received × Instant Transfer Rate
Cash You Receive = Net Received − Instant Transfer Fee
Example:
Instant Transfer Rate = 1% = 0.01
Net Received = 100
Instant Transfer Fee = 100 × 0.01 = 1.00
Cash You Receive = 100 − 1.00 = 99.00
4) International or cross-border payments
If there’s an extra cross-border rate:
Total Rate = Fee Rate + Cross-Border Rate
Then:
Fee = (Amount × Total Rate) + Fixed Fee
5) Currency conversion (if currencies differ)
Net After Conversion = Net Received × Exchange Rate × (1 − FX Markup)
Example:
Exchange Rate = 1.10 (USD → EUR)
FX Markup = 4% = 0.04
Net Received = 100 USD
Net After Conversion = 100 × 1.10 × (1 − 0.04) = 105.6 EUR
6) Full Example — Domestic Receiving (US)
Fee Rate: 2.99%
Fixed Fee: $0.49
Desired Net: $100
Amount to Charge = (100 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0299) = 103.59
PayPal Fee = 3.59
You Receive = $100
If Instant Transfer 1% is ON →
Instant Transfer Fee = 100 × 0.01 = 1.00
Final Cash Received = 99.00