Stripe fees in 2026: what Stripe charges per payment, with examples

Short answer: Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ for each successful online card payment from a US card. A card issued outside the US adds 1.5%, currency conversion adds 1%, and a card number typed in by hand adds 0.5%. A dispute (chargeback) costs $15. On a $50 payment, the standard fee is $1.75, so you receive $48.25. Check any amount with the Stripe fee calculator.

Stripe has no setup fee and no monthly fee on its standard pay-as-you-go pricing. You only pay when a payment succeeds. The catch is that several small extra charges can stack on the same payment, so the rate you actually pay depends on who your customers are and how they pay.

The fees Stripe charges

Online card payments: 2.9% + 30¢

This is the standard US rate for cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay when the customer pays online. The percentage applies to the full amount you charge, and the 30¢ is added to every payment, which is why small payments cost proportionally more.

International cards: +1.5%

If the customer’s card was issued outside the US, Stripe adds 1.5% to the standard rate.

Currency conversion: +1%

If Stripe has to convert the payment into a different currency before paying you, it adds 1%. A European customer paying in euros on a US account can pay both extra fees: 2.9% + 1.5% + 1% = 5.4% + 30¢.

Manually entered cards: +0.5%

When you type a customer’s card number in yourself, for example over the phone, Stripe adds 0.5% because keyed-in payments carry more fraud risk. Sending the customer a payment link so they enter the card themselves avoids it.

Disputes: $15

When a customer disputes a payment with their bank, Stripe charges a $15 dispute fee, plus another $15 if you respond to the dispute. Stripe returns the response fee if you win.

In person and bank payments

In-person payments through Stripe Terminal and bank (ACH) payments use different rates from online cards. Check Stripe’s pricing page if you take payments in person or by bank transfer.

Worked examples

The fixed 30¢ is why a $10 payment costs almost 6% while a $200 payment costs about 3%. If you sell low-priced items, the fixed fee matters more than the percentage.

How to receive an exact amount with Stripe

To receive a set amount after fees, don’t just add 2.9% to your price. Use this formula instead:

Price to charge = (amount you want + $0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029)

To receive exactly $100: ($100 + $0.30) ÷ 0.971 = $103.30. The Stripe fee calculator does this for you, including international and conversion fees.

Stripe compared with PayPal and Square

For a standard online card payment from a US customer, the three are close:

PayPal’s fixed fee is higher, so it costs more on small payments. Square is the same as Stripe online on its paid plans. For the details, read PayPal fees for business and Square fees explained, or compare amounts side by side in the PayPal fee calculator and Square fee calculator.

How to pay less in Stripe fees

• Raise very small payments or bundle them. The fixed 30¢ is a bigger share of a small payment.
• Send payment links instead of keying in cards to avoid the extra 0.5%.
• Price in your customers’ currency only if conversion would otherwise apply; settling in the same currency you charge avoids the 1% conversion fee.
• Prevent disputes with clear product descriptions, a recognizable statement name, and quick refunds when asked.
• Include fees in your profit math. Your profit margin should be calculated after payment fees, not before.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Stripe charge per transaction? For a US card paid online, 2.9% of the amount plus 30¢. International cards add 1.5%, currency conversion adds 1%, and manually entered cards add 0.5%.

Does Stripe charge a monthly fee? No. Stripe’s standard pricing has no setup, monthly, or closing fees. You pay only on successful payments.

How much is the Stripe fee on $100? $3.20 for a US card paid online (2.9% of $100 is $2.90, plus 30¢), so you receive $96.80.

Does Stripe refund fees on refunds? When you refund a payment, Stripe doesn’t return the original processing fee. Check your Stripe dashboard for how refunds affect your balance.

Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal? For most online card payments, yes, because Stripe’s fixed fee is 30¢ versus PayPal’s 49¢. On a $20 payment, Stripe charges $0.88 and PayPal’s card rate charges $1.09.

Rates reviewed November 13, 2026, from Stripe’s US pricing page. Stripe can change its fees, and custom pricing is available to larger businesses, so check your Stripe dashboard for the rates that apply to you.