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PayPal fee calculator
See exactly what PayPal takes from an invoice or payment, what lands in your account, and what to charge if you want to receive a set amount. Then compare it with Stripe, Payoneer, Wise and getting paid in USDC.
Fees take $35.39 (3.5%) of your $1,000.00
Compare: receiving $1,000.00
| Payment method | Fees | You receive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal invoice | $35.39 3.5% | $964.61 | Paid through a PayPal invoice or checkout. |
| Stripe card payment | $29.30 2.9% | $970.70 | Card payment on standard US pricing. |
| Payoneer, card payment | $40.39 4.0% | $959.61 | Up to 3.99% + 0.49 USD. Withdrawal and conversion fees are extra. |
| Payoneer, US bank debit | $10.00 1.0% | $990.00 | ACH debit, US payers only. |
| Wise, bank transfer | $0.00 0.0% | $1,000.00 | Free for local transfers; 6.11 USD for an incoming SWIFT wire. Conversion fees vary by currency. |
| RivitPay, card payment | $29.30 2.9% | $970.70 | Stripe's processing fee only while you're inside your first $5,000 collected; 1.5% RivitPay fee after that. Settles to your bank. |
| RivitPay, USDC | $0.00 0.0% | $1,000.00 | Wallet to wallet with the free crypto invoice generator. Your client pays the network fee, usually cents. |
US account rates, checked September 2026 against each provider's pricing page: PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, Wise. Providers change fees and some vary by account, so confirm before you quote a client.
How PayPal's fees work
For US accounts, PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49 when a client pays a PayPal invoice or pays through PayPal checkout. If the client pays from another country, PayPal adds 1.5%. If PayPal converts the payment into another currency, it applies a currency conversion spread, currently 4%. On a $1,000 invoice from a US client you receive $964.61. From a client abroad, it's $949.61, and $909.61 if the payment is converted too.
How to charge enough to cover the fee
Switch the calculator to I want to receive this amount. It works backwards: add the fixed fee to the amount you want, then divide by one minus the percentage. To receive $1,000 from a US client you'd invoice $1,036.67, or $1,053.04 from a client abroad. Many freelancers simply build payment costs into their rates rather than adding a separate fee. If you're thinking about a surcharge, read can you just add 3% for card? first, because card and platform rules limit it.
Cheaper ways to get paid
- Bank transfer is usually free to receive locally. Put your details on the invoice with the free invoice generator.
- Card payments through your own Stripe account cost 2.9% + 30¢ in the US. See the Stripe fee calculator.
- USDC goes wallet to wallet with no RivitPay fee. Your client pays the network fee, usually a few cents. The crypto invoice generator adds a payment QR code.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge for an invoice?
For US accounts, PayPal charges 3.49% of the payment plus a fixed 0.49 USD when a client pays a PayPal invoice. Payments from other countries cost an extra 1.5%, and currency conversion adds a 4% spread.
How much does PayPal take from $100?
On a $100 payment from a US client, PayPal takes $3.98 and you receive $96.02. From a client in another country the fee is $5.48, leaving $94.52.
How do I work out what to charge to receive a set amount?
Add the 0.49 USD fixed fee to the amount you want, then divide by one minus the percentage. To receive $1,000 from a US client, invoice $1,036.67. The calculator's I want to receive this amount option does it for you.
Does PayPal charge more for international payments?
Yes. PayPal adds 1.5% when the payment comes from another country, plus a 4% currency conversion spread if it converts the money into another currency.
Is there a cheaper way to get paid than PayPal?
Usually. Local bank transfers are often free to receive, card payments on your own Stripe account cost 2.9% plus 30 cents in the US, and a USDC payment through RivitPay has no RivitPay fee.