PayPal fees in the US (2026)
| Payment type | Fee |
|---|
| Goods and services (standard commercial rate) | 2.99% + $0.49 |
| PayPal Checkout, invoicing, Pay with Venmo | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| QR code payments in person | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Friends and family, bank or balance | Free |
| Friends and family, card-funded (paid by sender) | About 2.9% |
| International payments | Add 1.5% |
Rates are based on PayPal's published US merchant fees and may change; your account can also have different pricing.
Ways to reduce PayPal fees
- For personal payments, pay from a PayPal balance or bank account instead of a card.
- Combine small payments into one invoice, because the fixed fee hits every transaction.
- High-volume sellers can ask PayPal about merchant rates.
- Build the fee into your price using "Amount to ask for".
Selling on eBay? See the eBay fee calculator. Working out your margin? Try the profit margin calculator.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge to receive money?
For US goods and services payments, PayPal's standard commercial rate is 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction, and PayPal Checkout, invoicing and Pay with Venmo payments are 3.49% + $0.49. International payments add 1.5%. Personal payments between friends and family funded by a PayPal balance or bank account are free.
How do I calculate PayPal fees?
Multiply the amount by the percentage rate and add the fixed fee. For $100 at 3.49% + $0.49: $100 × 0.0349 + $0.49 = $3.98 in fees, so you receive $96.02.
How much should I charge to receive an exact amount?
Divide the amount you want plus the fixed fee by (1 − rate). To receive $100 at 3.49% + $0.49, ask for ($100 + $0.49) ÷ 0.9651 = $104.12. The calculator does this in "Amount to ask for".
Are these PayPal fees up to date?
The presets reflect PayPal's published US rates as of 2026, but PayPal changes fees from time to time and some accounts have custom pricing. Check your PayPal fee page and use "Custom rate" if yours differ.
Does PayPal charge to send money?
Sending money to friends and family in the US from your PayPal balance or bank account is free. Paying with a credit or debit card for a personal payment costs the sender about 2.9%. Buyers do not pay a fee when paying for goods and services; the seller does.