PayPal Fees Explained (2026): What Sellers Really Pay
By the Profitvana Editorial Team · Updated May 2026
PayPal's fees look small but add up, and they always come out of the receiver's money. Here is what sellers actually pay in 2026.
Goods & services rate
For US goods-and-services payments through standard online checkout, PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49. On a $100 payment that is about $3.98, so you receive $96.02.
The receiver pays
Fees are deducted from the amount before it reaches your balance — the buyer pays the full amount, you get less. Routing commercial payments through 'friends & family' to dodge the fee breaks PayPal's terms and removes protection.
Cards and international cost more
Card-funded and cross-border payments carry higher rates, and currency conversion adds a spread. If you sell abroad, factor those in before pricing.
Work out your net
Use the PayPal fee calculator to see exactly what lands in your account for any amount, before you accept a payment or set a price.
Sources
Related calculators
Profitvana Editorial Team
We research marketplace, payment, and finance fees directly against each platform’s official, published rates, and stamp every calculator with the date it was last verified. We publish exactly how we work — and never let ads change a result.