Stripe Fee Calculator
Estimate Stripe processing fees instantly. Includes the standard 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Stripe Fee
$0.00
You Receive
$0.00
How Stripe Fees Work in 2026
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge for US-issued cards. The fee is automatically deducted before your payout — you don't pay a separate invoice. For manually entered cards (keyed-in rather than swiped/tapped), the rate is 3.4% + $0.30. International cards add a 1.5% fee on top of the standard rate.
Unlike PayPal, Stripe has no monthly fees, no minimum volume requirements, and no setup costs. You only pay when you process a transaction. Stripe also offers volume discounts for businesses processing over $80,000/month — contact Stripe sales for custom pricing.
Stripe vs PayPal: Which Has Lower Fees?
Both platforms charge 2.9% + $0.30 for standard card transactions, so at identical volumes the fee is the same. The difference appears in edge cases: Stripe charges 1.5% extra for international cards, while PayPal charges a currency conversion spread of 3-4%. For a US business selling primarily to US customers, fees are virtually identical. See the full comparison →
Stripe's Refund Policy on Fees
When you issue a refund, Stripe returns the original transaction amount to the customer but does not refund the processing fee. A $100 refund still costs you $3.20 in lost fees. For businesses with high refund rates, factor this into your pricing model. Stripe charges an additional $15 dispute fee if a chargeback is filed, though this is waived if you win the dispute.
Worked Examples at 2.9% + $0.30
| Payment | Stripe fee | You receive | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $3.20 | $96.80 | 3.20% |
| $450 | $13.35 | $436.65 | 2.97% |
| $1,000 | $29.30 | $970.70 | 2.93% |
These figures use Stripe's standard US rate for domestic online card payments. If the card was issued outside the US, Stripe adds 1.5%, so a $1,000 international payment costs $44.30, and currency conversion adds another 1%.
How Much to Charge to Receive an Exact Amount
Use the formula (target + $0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029). To receive exactly $500: ($500 + $0.30) ÷ 0.971 = $515.24. Check it: $515.24 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $15.24 in fees, leaving $500.00.
Compared with PayPal Checkout at 3.49% + $0.49, Stripe costs less on every amount: on a $1,000 payment the difference is about $6. If your clients are in the US and pay by card, that adds up quickly. Compare both with the PayPal fee calculator.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the international card and currency conversion fees when clients are abroad.
- Expecting Stripe to refund its processing fee when you refund a customer – it does not return the fee.
- Adding a surcharge to card payments without checking the rules in your state or country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stripe's fee per transaction?
Stripe's standard rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge in the US. Manually entered cards are 3.4% + $0.30. International cards add 1.5%. There are no monthly fees or minimums.
Does Stripe refund fees when I issue a refund?
No. When you refund a transaction, Stripe returns the original amount to the customer but does not refund the processing fee. The fee is permanently lost on refunded transactions.
How do Stripe fees compare to Square?
Both charge 2.9% + $0.30 for online card transactions. Square is generally more competitive for in-person payments (2.6% + $0.10 per swipe). For online-only businesses, fees are essentially identical.
Can I pass Stripe fees to my customers?
You can't add a fee at the Stripe level, but you can build it into your pricing. Many SaaS and service businesses add 3% to invoices for card payments, or offer a discount for bank transfer payments.