What does “you want to receive X” mean?
The calculator grosses up so after fees you still net approximately X.
PayPal Fee Calculator
Model a percent-plus-fixed fee either so you still receive a target amount, or so you see what remains when the buyer pays a set total.
Enter amount, fee, and mode
Choose receive vs buyer-pays mode, then set amount and fee parameters.
About this calculator
How to use PayPal Fee Calculator, plus the formulas and logic behind the results.
Tool description
Many processors charge a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed fee per payment. Defaults mirror a common illustrative retail rate (2.99% + $0.49)—your actual PayPal rate may differ by country, card, and product.
How to use
- Choose whether X is what you want to net, or what the buyer pays.
- Enter the dollar amount X.
- Adjust percent and fixed fee if your rate differs from the defaults.
- Select Calculate to view fee, buyer total, and net received.
Formulas & reference
Buyer pays mode: fee = amount × (pct ÷ 100) + fixed; net = amount − feeReceive mode: buyer total = (desired net + fixed) ÷ (1 − pct ÷ 100)Receive mode fee = buyer total − desired net
Fee examples (2.99% + $0.49)
- Buyer pays $100 → fee ≈ $3.48, net ≈ $96.52
- Want to receive $100 → charge more than $100 (gross up)
- Lower rates reduce both fee and required charge
- Percent near 100% makes receive-mode math invalid
Calculation logic
Buyer-pays deducts percent-of-amount plus fixed from the paid total. Receive mode solves for the charge that leaves the desired net after the same fee structure.
Illustrative fee model only. PayPal rates, FX, chargebacks, and commercial vs personal products vary. Not affiliated with PayPal.
PayPal Fee Calculator FAQ
Common questions about the calculation and how to interpret the estimate.
What does “buyer pays X” mean?
Fees are taken from the X the buyer pays; you receive X minus the fee.
Are 2.99% + $0.49 always correct?
No—defaults are illustrative. Enter your actual PayPal or processor rates.
Why is receive mode higher than X?
Because the percent fee applies to the full charged amount, so you must charge more than X to net X.
Does this include currency conversion?
No—flat percent + fixed only, in one currency.
Is this affiliated with PayPal?
No. Independent educational fee math; check PayPal for official pricing.