What is Stripe Fee?
Stripe fee is the transaction fee charged by Stripe for processing credit card and digital wallet payments. Stripe is a leading payment processor known for its developer-friendly API and global reach. Domestic transactions cost 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, while international transactions are 3.9% + $0.30. Stripe's transparent pricing makes it easy to calculate and predict payment processing costs.
Stripe 2026 Fee Rates
Stripe offers transparent, volume-based pricing designed for modern businesses. Here is a complete breakdown of all Stripe fees for 2026:
How to Calculate Stripe Fees (Domestic & International)
Use this free Stripe Fee Calculator to calculate your exact payment processing costs in seconds. Whether you're pricing products, reconciling monthly statements, or comparing payment processors, this tool handles both domestic and international transactions. It also works as a reverse Stripe fee calculator: enter your target net amount and see what to charge.
- Enter Charge Amount ($) — your total transaction amount in USD
- Select Region — Domestic (2.9%+$0.30) or International (3.9%+$0.30)
- Use Reverse Mode — enter a target net payout and the calculator tells you the required charge to hit that amount
- Review Results — see exact Stripe fee, net payout, effective rate, and required charge
This Stripe fee calculator international mode covers cross-border transactions with 3.9%+$0.30 — the rate for cards issued outside the US. Use it to calculate Stripe fees for global customers and compare with PayPal, Square, or other processors.
Stripe Fee Formulas
Domestic Fee = Amount × 2.9% + $0.30
International Fee = Amount × 3.9% + $0.30
Net Payout = Amount − Fee
Effective Rate = (Fee ÷ Amount) × 100%
Required Charge = (Target Net + $0.30) ÷ (1 − Rate%)
Real-World Example Calculations
Below are practical examples showing how Stripe fees affect your payout for different transaction types and amounts.
Example 1: Standard Domestic Sale
You sell a product for $150.00 to a US customer paying with a credit card:
Transaction Amount: $150.00
Stripe Fee: $150.00 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $4.35 + $0.30 = $4.65
Net Payout: $150.00 - $4.65 = $145.35
Effective Fee Rate: $4.65 ÷ $150.00 = 3.10%
Example 2: International Sale with Currency Conversion
A customer from the UK purchases your digital product for $75.00 (USD):
Transaction Amount: $75.00
Stripe Fee: $75.00 × 3.9% + $0.30 = $2.93 + $0.30 = $3.23
Net Payout: $75.00 - $3.23 = $71.77
Effective Fee Rate: $3.23 ÷ $75.00 = 4.30%
Note: International rate includes 1.5% cross-border fee for currency conversion
Example 3: Micropayment Transaction
You receive a $5.00 tip via your digital tip jar:
Transaction Amount: $5.00
Standard Fee Would Be: $5.00 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $0.145 + $0.30 = $0.45 (9.0%)
Micropayment Fee: $5.00 × 5.0% + $0.05 = $0.25 + $0.05 = $0.30
Net Payout: $5.00 - $0.30 = $4.70
Effective Fee Rate: $0.30 ÷ $5.00 = 6.0%
Example 4: Reverse Calculation (Target Net Payout)
You need to receive exactly $100.00 after domestic Stripe fees:
Target Net: $100.00
Required Charge: ($100.00 + $0.30) ÷ (1 - 0.029) = $100.30 ÷ 0.971 = $103.30
Stripe Fee: $103.30 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $2.9957 + $0.30 = $3.30
Verification: $103.30 - $3.30 = $100.00 ✓
Example 5: Monthly Volume Cost Projection
If you process 500 transactions per month averaging $50.00 each:
Monthly Gross Sales: 500 × $50.00 = $25,000.00
Per-Transaction Fee: $50.00 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $1.45 + $0.30 = $1.75
Total Monthly Fees: 500 × $1.75 = $875.00
Total Net Payout: $25,000.00 - $875.00 = $24,125.00
Effective Fee Rate: $875.00 ÷ $25,000.00 = 3.50%
Why Stripe Fees Matter
Understanding Stripe fees helps you:
- Price accurately — Factor fees into product and service pricing
- Compare processors — Evaluate Stripe vs PayPal, Square
- Calculate reverse — Determine what to charge for target net
- Forecast costs — Predict monthly payment processing expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Stripe's current fees for 2026?
Stripe's standard pricing for 2026 is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful domestic card transaction. International cards issued outside the US cost 3.9% + $0.30 (an additional 1.5% cross-border fee). For micropayments under $10, Stripe offers a reduced rate of 5.0% + $0.05. ACH bank transfers are 0.8% capped at $5. Stripe Radar fraud protection is included at no extra cost.
How does Stripe compare to PayPal for business fees?
Stripe is generally more cost-effective than PayPal for most businesses. While Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic transactions, PayPal's standard rate is 3.49% + $0.09 (plus additional fees for invoice payments). Over 1,000 monthly transactions of $50 each, Stripe saves you approximately $270 per month compared to PayPal. Stripe also offers better developer tools, more customizable checkout options, and transparent pricing without transaction-type surcharges.
Does Stripe offer volume discounts or lower fees for high-volume businesses?
Yes, Stripe offers custom pricing tiers for high-volume businesses. Businesses processing $80,000+/month may qualify for reduced rates through negotiated agreements with Stripe sales. Volume discounts typically reduce the percentage rate by 0.1-0.5% depending on transaction volume and business type. There are no monthly fees on standard accounts, and you only pay per-transaction fees. Contact Stripe directly or use our calculator to project costs at different volumes.
How do international Stripe fees work?
International transactions incur an additional 1.5% cross-border fee on top of the standard domestic rate, making international cards 3.9% + $0.30 total. This fee covers currency conversion and cross-border transaction processing. For European customers, Stripe supports Local Payment Methods (like SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact) which may have lower fees depending on the payment method. All fees are calculated in the seller's currency (USD) after currency conversion.
Are Stripe fees tax-deductible for businesses?
Yes, Stripe payment processing fees are generally tax-deductible as a business expense for both US federal and state tax purposes. These fees are typically categorized as "Payment Processing Fees" or "Merchant Services Fees" on your tax return. However, tax laws vary by jurisdiction, and the deductibility may depend on your business structure and location. Consult a qualified tax professional for specific advice regarding your situation, as this information is not tax or legal advice.
Does Stripe charge monthly fees?
No monthly fees exist for standard Stripe accounts. You only pay per-transaction fees with no setup costs, monthly minimums, or hidden charges. Custom pricing (volume discounts) is available for high-volume businesses processing $80,000+/month. Optional paid services include Stripe Atlas ($49 one-time for business incorporation), Stripe Terminal, and Stripe Capital for business financing.
What payment methods does Stripe support?
Stripe supports all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB), debit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Microsoft Pay), ACH bank transfers, SEPA credit transfers, wire transfers, and 135+ currencies worldwide. Stripe also supports local payment methods in specific regions including iDEAL, Bancontact, Giropay, and Klarna for buy-now-pay-later options.
Are there any hidden Stripe fees I should know about?
No hidden fees exist with Stripe's standard pricing. All costs are transparent: per-transaction fees plus optional services. Chargebacks cost $15 each (same as PayPal). Failed payment retries incur $0.30 per attempt. Currency conversion uses mid-market exchange rates with a 1% markup for unsupported currencies. Additional optional fees include Stripe Atlas ($49), Stripe Terminal hardware, and custom API usage beyond free limits.