How this PayPal fee calculator works
PayPal's standard domestic goods and services fee is a percentage of the payment plus a small fixed fee — commonly 3.49% + $0.49. Multiply your amount by the rate, add the fixed fee, and subtract both from the payment to get the net amount you receive. International payments, currency conversion and certain card types cost more, so check your own PayPal fee schedule for the exact rate.
If you are pricing with fees in mind, note the fee is calculated on what the buyer pays — to net a target amount you need a gross that is the target divided by (1 − rate), plus going back and forth for the fixed fee. For small payments the fixed fee dominates; for large ones the percentage matters more.
Selling outside marketplaces
- Never use "friends and family" for business sales — no buyer protection.
- Add a small buffer to prices to cover fees and refund risk.
- Compare with Stripe, Square and bank transfers — percentage fees vary.