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Stripe Fee Calculator
Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ is the benchmark every other processor is measured against. Add 1.5% for international cards and 1% for currency conversion and a cross-border sale can cost 5.4% — this calculator separates each component and works out the gross-up.
Stripe's rate, component by component
Stripe's US standard rate is 2.9% + 30¢ per successful card charge. Two optional surcharges stack on top, and unlike the base rate they are easy to overlook when you set prices for an international audience.
| Component | Rate | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard card processing | 2.9% + 30¢ | Domestic cards, successful charges only |
| International cards | +1.5% | Card issued outside your country |
| Currency conversion | +1% | Charge currency differs from your settlement currency |
| Dispute / chargeback | $15 | Per dispute, whether won or lost |
Small tickets are where Stripe hurts
The 30¢ fixed fee is 3% of a $10 charge and 0.3% of a $100 charge. That is why low-ticket businesses — $5 digital products, $9 subscriptions, $12 patterns — end up paying 5–8% even though the "rate" is 2.9%. If your average order value is under $15, either bundle items, raise the price, or consider a processor with a lower fixed fee for micropayments.
Gross-up, explained properly
To net a specific amount, divide by (1 − rate) after adding the fixed fee to the target:
charge = (target + 0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029) = (target + 0.30) ÷ 0.971
For a $100 target that is $103.30. Adding 2.9% + 30¢ to $100 gives $103.20, which nets $99.90 — a ten-cent error that repeats on every invoice.
Stripe Fee Calculator — FAQ
What are Stripe's fees in 2026?
2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card charge in the US, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% when currency conversion is required. Disputes cost $15 each. Rates vary by country and by negotiated volume pricing.
How do I calculate Stripe fees to net a target amount?
Add the fixed fee to your target, then divide by one minus the percentage: (target + $0.30) ÷ 0.971 for the US standard rate. To net $100 you need to charge about $103.30, not $103.20.
Are Stripe fees refunded if I refund a customer?
No. Stripe does not return the processing fee on refunded charges, including the fixed 30¢. You also cannot recover the international or conversion surcharges. Refunds therefore cost you the full original fee.
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
Slightly, at most amounts: 2.9% + 30¢ against PayPal's 2.99% + 49¢. On a $100 charge that is $3.20 versus $3.48 — a 28-cent difference per transaction. For small charges the 19-cent gap in the fixed fee matters more than the percentage.
Why does Stripe cost more than 2.9% on my international sales?
Because international cards add 1.5% and currency conversion adds another 1%, taking the effective rate to about 5.4% before the fixed fee. If a large share of your customers are overseas, price that surcharge in rather than discovering it at payout.
Sources & last checked. Rates reflect Stripe's published 2026 US pricing: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card charge, +1.5% for international cards, +1% for currency conversion and a $15 dispute fee. Rates differ by country and by negotiated volume pricing. Last reviewed October 2026.