How this calculator works
This model uses Canadian merchant rates checked on 1 November 2026: standard domestic commercial payments are 2.9% plus a currency-specific fixed fee; US senders add 0.8 percentage points and other international senders add 1 point. Approved micropayments use 5% plus their fixed fee for Canada and the US, or 6% for other international senders. Custom pricing accepts the total contracted rate. Currency codes label arithmetic only. If converting a balance, processing fees are deducted first and the entered exchange rate and spread are then applied to the net amount. No live exchange rates are fetched.
Formula
Processing fee = sent amount x total fee fraction + fixed fee. Net payment = sent amount - processing fee. Effective conversion rate = entered rate x (1 - spread). Balance received = net payment x effective conversion rate.
Worked example
A domestic CAD 100 standard payment has a CAD 3.20 fee and leaves CAD 96.80. An approved domestic CAD 10 micropayment has a CAD 0.55 fee and leaves CAD 9.45. Converting the CAD 96.80 net at 0.75 USD per CAD with a 3% spread leaves USD 70.422.
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Frequently asked questions
Is micropayment pricing automatic?
No. PayPal requires application and approval. Select it only if it applies to your account.
Which exchange rate should I enter?
Enter balance-currency units for one unit of payment currency. Use the quoted rate directly with a zero spread, or a reference rate with your applicable reduction. The default spread is an editable scenario assumption.
Are all PayPal products covered?
The presets model standard commercial receiving and approved micropayments for Canadian accounts. Pay Later, QR, negotiated plans, refunds and sender-side conversion can use different charges. The published currency fee list does not establish whether a currency or service is available to your account.