Rates are each provider’s published standard US rates, checked October 6, 2026. Fees change, and many providers offer different rates by plan, category or volume. Check the provider’s fee page before relying on a number.
Fees on a $100 sale, compared
| Service | Fee on $100 | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout | $3.98 | $96.02 |
| PayPal: standard card payments | $3.48 | $96.52 |
| PayPal: goods and services | $2.99 | $97.01 |
| PayPal: QR code | $2.38 | $97.62 |
| Square: in person | $2.75 | $97.25 |
| Square: online and invoices | $3.60 | $96.40 |
| Square: keyed in / card on file | $3.65 | $96.35 |
| Stripe: online cards | $3.20 | $96.80 |
| Stripe: in person (Terminal) | $2.75 | $97.25 |
| Etsy | $9.75 | $90.25 |
| eBay (most categories) | $14.00 | $86.00 |
How payment processing fees work
Most card and payment services charge a percentage of the sale plus a small fixed amount per transaction. On a $100 PayPal Checkout payment at 3.49% + $0.49, the fee is $3.49 + $0.49 = $3.98. The fixed part matters most on small sales: on a $5 sale, $0.49 alone is almost 10%.
Marketplaces like Etsy and eBay also charge selling fees on top of (or including) payment processing. Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee and a separate payment processing fee; eBay charges a final value fee plus a per-order fee.
How to work out what to charge
If you want to receive a set amount after fees, switch to What to charge. The calculator finds the lowest price that leaves you that amount. As a formula for a simple percentage + fixed fee: price = (amount you want + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage). To receive $100 through PayPal Checkout: (100 + 0.49) ÷ (1 − 0.0349) = $104.12.
Card fees are a normal cost of doing business. Building them into your prices, rather than adding a surcharge, avoids state and card-network surcharge rules. The profit margin calculator helps you set prices that cover them.
Lowering the fees you pay
- Take in-person payments in person. Tap, chip and swipe are usually cheaper than typed-in card numbers.
- Watch small transactions. The fixed fee eats into low-priced items; bundles help.
- Compare plans. Several providers lower rates on paid plans or at higher volume.
- Encourage cash or other methods where it suits your customers, and track each in your end-of-day count.
Selling on Etsy as well as at markets? Read how to sell on Etsy, and see how split payments work at the counter.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge to receive money?
For a PayPal Checkout payment in the US, 3.49% plus $0.49. On a $100 payment that’s $3.98, so you receive $96.02. Other payment types have different rates.
How much does eBay take from a sale?
For most categories, 13.6% of the total sale up to $7,500 (2.35% above that), plus a $0.40 per-order fee ($0.30 for orders of $10 or less). On a $100 sale that’s $14.
How do I work out what to charge to cover the fee?
Use the “I want to receive” mode. It finds the price that leaves you your target amount after the fee.
Are these fees current?
They’re each provider’s published standard US rates, checked on the date shown. Providers change fees and offer different rates by plan or category, so check the linked fee page, or enter your own rate.