PayPal & Stripe Fee Calculator
Freelancers and sellers lose money every time they forget the payment fee: a $100 invoice is never $100 in your account. This free calculator shows exactly what PayPal or Stripe takes and what you actually keep — or, in reverse, what to charge so you receive the exact amount you quoted. Pick a provider, enter the amount, and see the fee, the net received, and the effective percentage. The rates shown are the published US domestic rates as of November 2026 (PayPal 2.99% + $0.49, Stripe 2.9% + $0.30); they are editable, because international payments and other payment methods cost more, and fees change — always check the current fees before you quote a client.
Your Fee Results
You receive
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How to Use This Fee Calculator
- Choose the mode. “Fee on a payment I receive” tells you what you keep from a payment you already agreed. “Reverse: charge X to receive Y” tells you what to invoice so the exact amount lands in your account.
- Pick PayPal or Stripe. The rate fields fill in automatically with the published US domestic rates as of November 2026. If your rate is different — for example an international payment — type your own percentage and fixed fee.
- Enter the amount. In receive mode this is the payment your client sends. In reverse mode this is the amount you want to end up with.
- Click Calculate. You will see the fee, what you keep (or what to charge), and the fee as a percentage of the payment, so you can compare PayPal and Stripe side by side.
Worked Example
On a $100 payment, PayPal at 2.99% + $0.49 takes a fee of $100 × 0.0299 + $0.49 = $3.48, so you receive $96.52. Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30 takes $100 × 0.029 + $0.30 = $3.20, so you receive $96.80 — 28 cents more than PayPal on the same $100. In reverse, to receive exactly $100 through Stripe you must charge (100 + 0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029) = $103.30: Stripe's fee on $103.30 is $3.30, leaving you $100.00. (Charging $103.10 would not be enough — the fee on $103.10 is $3.29, leaving only $99.81.) To receive $100 through PayPal, charge (100 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0299) = $103.59. The reverse formula always divides by (1 − percentage), because the fee is charged on the larger amount you invoice, not on the amount you want to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the PayPal fee on $100?
At the published US domestic rate of 2.99% plus $0.49, the PayPal fee on a $100 payment is $3.48 (100 × 0.0299 + 0.49), so you receive $96.52. Rates are published rates as of November 2026 — always check PayPal's current fees before quoting a client.
How much is the Stripe fee on $100?
At the published US domestic rate of 2.9% plus $0.30, the Stripe fee on a $100 payment is $3.20 (100 × 0.029 + 0.30), so you receive $96.80. Rates are published rates as of November 2026 — always check Stripe's current fees before quoting a client.
How much should I charge to receive exactly $100 after Stripe fees?
Charge $103.30. The reverse formula is (amount you want + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage fee), so (100 + 0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029) = $103.30. Stripe takes $3.30 on that charge, leaving you $100.00. Note that charging $103.10 would leave only $99.81, because the fee is charged on the larger amount.
Who pays the PayPal or Stripe fee — me or my client?
By default the fee comes out of what the seller receives, so a $100 payment leaves you $96.52 on PayPal or $96.80 on Stripe at domestic US rates. Many freelancers add the fee on top instead, using the reverse calculation to charge $103.59 on PayPal or $103.30 on Stripe to receive exactly $100 — but check the rules in your country, as surcharging is restricted in some places.
Are these PayPal and Stripe rates the same in every country?
No. These are US domestic rates: PayPal 2.99% + $0.49 and Stripe 2.9% + $0.30. International payments, currency conversion, micropayments and some payment methods (such as American Express on Stripe or PayPal invoicing) have different rates, often an extra 1 to 2 percent. Use the editable rate fields on this page to match the rate that applies to you.