PayPal In-Person QR Code Fee Calculator (1.9% + $0.10)
Calculate PayPal QR contactless payment fees for brick-and-mortar sales.
Rate Clarification: 3.49% + $0.49 applies to PayPal Checkout, Guest Checkout, and invoices. Standard Goods & Services rate: 2.99% + $0.49.
Rate Clarification: 3.49% + $0.49 applies to PayPal Checkout, Guest Checkout, and invoices. Standard Goods & Services rate: 2.99% + $0.49.
Base customer charge
3.49% + $0.49 fixed
Actual received funds
Total % lost to gateway
Competitor Fee Comparisonat $500.00
Exact net payout differences across major merchant networks. Click any card to switch.
PayPal Merchant Fees Explained: Standard, QR & Micropayments (2026)
A transparent analysis of PayPal Commerce (3.49% + $0.49), PayPal Checkout buttons (2.99% + $0.49), QR codes, micropayments (5% + 5¢), and cross-border currency conversion.
3.49% + $0.49 applies to PayPal Checkout, Guest Checkout, and invoices. Standard Goods & Services rate: 2.99% + $0.49.
Standard commercial invoicing and invoicing API charges on PayPal in the US cost 3.49% plus $0.49 per transaction. When buyers use PayPal Checkout buttons or guest checkout on your store, the discounted rate is 2.99% plus $0.49. On a $100 customer payment, PayPal deducts $3.98 (invoicing/checkout) or $3.48 (standard card). For international cross-border transactions, PayPal adds an extra 1.50% fee plus a 3% to 4% currency conversion margin.
When to Use the PayPal Micropayments Program (5.0% + $0.05)
Because standard PayPal transactions carry a hefty $0.49 fixed cents fee, selling low-ticket items under $10 results in punishing effective fee rates. To protect small merchants selling digital downloads, gaming assets, and song downloads, PayPal offers an opt-in Micropayments fee schedule: 5.0% plus $0.05.
The mathematical tipping point is $11.00: for items priced under $11, the 5% + $0.05 micropayments rate is cheaper. For items priced over $11, standard 2.99% + $0.49 is more economical.
Data Table: PayPal Checkout vs. Invoicing Deductions
| Amount | Checkout (2.99% + 49¢) | Checkout Net | Invoicing (3.49% + 49¢) | Invoicing Net | Micropayments (5% + 5¢) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5.00 | $0.64 (12.8%) | $4.36 | $0.66 | $4.34 | $0.30 (6.0%) |
| $10.00 | $0.79 (7.9%) | $9.21 | $0.84 | $9.16 | $0.55 (5.5%) |
| $50.00 | $1.99 (3.98%) | $48.01 | $2.24 | $47.76 | $2.55 |
| $100.00 | $3.48 (3.48%) | $96.52 | $3.98 | $96.02 | $5.05 |
Cross-Border Currency Conversion & International Surcharges
Accepting international buyers on PayPal carries two distinct friction points: an added 1.50% cross-border fee, and PayPal's internal retail currency exchange spread of 3.0% to 4.0% above mid-market interbank rates. To protect margins when selling globally, consider routing foreign currency receivables into multi-currency balances or utilizing dedicated cross-border processors.
Technical Breakdown & Formula Specifications
Transparent mathematical reference and standardized volume benchmarks
Mathematical Formula & Calculation Logic
To calculate forward deductions: multiply gross volume by the gateway rate (e.g. 2.9%) and add the fixed fee ($0.30). To ensure you receive an exact net amount in your bank, use the reverse formula to invoice your customer accordingly.
Standard Transaction Volume Tiers
Compare expected deductions across typical commercial ticket sizes
| Gross Transaction | Deductions | Net Received | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | -$1.75 | $48.25 | 3.50% |
| $250.00 | -$7.55 | $242.45 | 3.02% |
| $1,000.00 | -$29.30 | $970.70 | 2.93% |
| $5,000.00 | -$145.30 | $4,854.70 | 2.91% |
PayPal In-Person QR Code Fee Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions
Authoritative answers to common questions, regulatory rules, and compliance guidance.
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