Stripe & PayPal Fee Calculator for Freelancers
See the fee on a charge, or work backward to find exactly what to charge so you net a specific amount after Stripe or PayPal fees.
How it works
Payment processors charge a percentage plus a small fixed fee per transaction — Stripe's standard US rate is 2.9% + $0.30, PayPal's standard rate is 3.49% + $0.49 — so the amount that actually lands in a bank account is always a bit less than the amount charged. Rates vary by account type, card type, and country, so treat these as a starting point and check the exact rate on your own account for anything that matters.
The more common real question isn't 'what's the fee on this charge' but 'what do I need to charge so I net exactly $500' — useful when quoting a round number to a client but still needing the full amount after fees. This tool solves both directions.
Who uses this
| Business type | How it's used |
|---|---|
| Freelancers & consultants | Work out what to invoice through Stripe or PayPal so the amount that lands in the bank matches a quoted number. |
| E-commerce & Etsy sellers | Check how much of a sale is eaten by payment processing fees before pricing a product. |
| Photographers & event vendors | Work out the deposit amount to invoice so processing fees don't cut into the quoted booking price. |
| Coaches & online course sellers | Check net payout on a course or coaching package sold through an online payment link. |
Frequently asked questions
Q.Why is the 'amount to charge' higher than a simple percentage markup?
Because the fee is taken from the charged amount, not added on top — grossing up correctly requires dividing by (1 − fee rate) rather than multiplying by (1 + fee rate), plus accounting for the fixed per-transaction fee. A simple percentage markup slightly undershoots the target.
Q.Do these rates match my actual account?
They're the standard published US rates as a starting point — your actual rate can differ based on account type, card type, currency, and any negotiated volume pricing. Check your payment processor's dashboard for the exact number.