SellerFeeHQ
PayPal

PayPal fee calculator

PayPal charges a fixed-plus-percentage fee on goods and services payments: 3.49% of the amount plus $0.49 per transaction at the current standard rate (many accounts still see the legacy 2.9% + $0.30). There is no listing or final value fee — PayPal only takes its processing cut. Use the calculator to see exactly what you keep after the fee, including the cross-border surcharge on international payments.

Rates checked 25 July 2026

You keep

$43.90

Total fees
$2.10
Effective rate
4.6%
Profit
$26.90
Gross sale$46.00
Payment processing3.49% × $46.00 + $0.49−$2.10
Total fees−$2.10
Net payout$43.90
Less item cost & shipping ($17.00)$26.90

Profit margin 67.3% of item price

Unaffiliated with PayPal. Fee rates are published rates as of 25 July 2026 and may not reflect your account’s negotiated or promotional rates. Source: PayPal fees help page.

Worked example: a $40.00 PayPal sale

Suppose you sell an item for $40.00 and charge $6.00 shipping. The gross sale is $46.00. Here is how PayPal arrives at what you keep:

  • Payment processing (3.49% × $46.00 + $0.49)−$2.10

Total fees come to $2.10 (4.6% of the gross sale), leaving a net payout of $43.90. After your $12.00 item cost and $5.00 shipping paid, the profit is $26.90 — a 67.3% margin on the item price.

How PayPal fees work

PayPal's fee is a percentage of the total amount received plus a fixed per-transaction charge. The standard goods-and-services rate is 3.49% + $0.49, though the long-running 2.9% + $0.30 rate still applies to some accounts and is what most sellers remember. International payments add a cross-border fee (around 1.5%) and, if currency conversion is involved, a conversion spread above the base exchange rate. Friends & Family payments within the same country are free when funded from a balance or bank account, but they carry no seller protection and should never be used for sales.

Frequently asked questions

What is PayPal's standard fee for goods and services?
The current standard rate is 3.49% of the amount received plus a fixed $0.49 per transaction. Many accounts still see the legacy rate of 2.9% + $0.30, which you can select in the calculator to compare.
Does PayPal charge a monthly fee?
A standard personal PayPal account has no monthly fee. PayPal only takes its per-transaction fee when you receive a goods-and-services payment.
What does PayPal charge for international payments?
Cross-border goods-and-services payments add a cross-border fee of around 1.5% on top of the standard rate. If currency conversion is required, PayPal also adds a spread above the base exchange rate.
Why shouldn't I use Friends & Family for sales?
Friends & Family payments are free domestically but carry no seller protection, so a buyer can dispute and reverse the payment with little recourse for you. They also violate PayPal's terms when used to sell goods.

Other fee calculators

Selling on more than one? Compare what every marketplace takes on the same sale, or read how to price an item to cover its fees.