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PayPal Fee Calculator
Work out PayPal fees and your net, or gross-up a charge.
100% FreeRuns instantlyNo watermark
- 1Enter detailsAdd the numbers for your scenario.
- 2CalculateVootkit updates the result instantly.
- 3ReviewCheck totals, notes and breakdowns.
Private by designProcessed on your device where possible.
Works on any deviceDesktop, tablet and mobile browsers.
No installationOpen the page and start working.
Always free coreUse the free plan for everyday tasks.
How to use PayPal Fee Calculator
Vootkit updates the result instantly.
02Check totals, notes and breakdowns.
03Copy the answer into your workflow.
04Your files stay private
Your work is processed locally in your browser where possible and is never added to a Vootkit upload library.
Learn more about privacyPayment processors take a percentage plus a fixed fee, and the fixed part is what makes small transactions disproportionately expensive. On a five-dollar payment it can be most of the cost.
What PayPal Fee Calculator does
Calculates the fee and your net from an amount, defaulting to 2.99% plus a fixed fee on 100.
It also handles the reverse problem — grossing up, or working out what to charge so that the amount you receive is the amount you wanted.
Fee structure
| Percentage | Default 2.99% — you set it |
|---|---|
| Fixed fee | Per transaction, on top |
| <strong>Small payments</strong> | <strong>The fixed fee dominates</strong> |
| On $5 | The fixed fee can exceed the percentage |
| Cross-border | Usually adds a further percentage |
| Currency conversion | Charged on top of that again |
| Grossing up | Not simply adding the fee back — see the tip |
| Rates change | Check your account’s current schedule |
Detailed steps
- Enter the amount and your actual rate — check your account, not a general figure.
- Read the fee and your net.
- Use the gross-up direction if you need a specific amount to land.
Worth knowing
Grossing up is not adding the fee back. If you want 100 net at 2.99% plus 0.30, charging 103.29 does not work — the fee applies to the larger amount too. The correct figure is (100 + 0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.0299) ≈ 103.40, and the gap grows with the amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are small payments so expensive proportionally?
The fixed fee. At a typical 0.30 fixed charge, a 5.00 payment loses 0.30 before the percentage is applied at all — around 9% total. On 500 the same fixed fee is negligible. It is why micro-payments through general processors rarely work.
How do I charge so I receive a specific amount?
Divide rather than add: (target + fixed) ÷ (1 − percentage). Adding the fee back undercharges, because the fee is then levied on the higher amount as well.
What about international payments?
Most processors add a cross-border percentage, and a further margin on currency conversion. Both are on top of the base rate, and the conversion margin is frequently the larger of the two.
Are these the current rates?
The default is a common figure, not your account’s. Rates vary by country, volume and account type, and they change. Check your own fee schedule and enter it.
Is PayPal Fee Calculator free?
Yes. The Vootkit free plan includes 5 tool runs a day. Upgrade to Vootkit Pro for unlimited daily use, an ad-free workspace and saved workflows.
Are my files uploaded?
No. PayPal Fee Calculator runs entirely in your browser — your file is processed on your own device and never sent to a server. There is nothing for us to store or delete.
Do I need to install anything?
No. PayPal Fee Calculator works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. Open the page and start.
How often can I use it? Is there a daily limit?
On the free plan you get 5 tool runs a day. When you reach the limit you'll see a prompt to upgrade, and it resets the next day. Vootkit Pro removes the cap entirely for unlimited daily use.
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This tool processes everything locally in your browser. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it will still work.