How Much Should I Charge to Receive $100 After Stripe Fees?
Stripe deducts its fee from your payment before depositing. To net exactly $100, you need to charge your client more upfront.
Using Stripe Domestic Card — 2.9% + $0.30
Stripe fee deducted: $3.30
Formula: (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = 100.30 / 0.971 = $103.30
$100 Gross-Up by Stripe Rate Type
The amount to charge depends on which Stripe payment method your client uses.
| Rate Type | Rate | Charge to Receive $100 | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Card Default | 2.9% + $0.30 | $103.30 | $3.30 |
| International Card | 4.4% + $0.30 | $104.92 | $4.92 |
| Int'l + Currency Conversion | 5.4% + $0.30 | $106.03 | $6.03 |
| ACH Direct Debit | 0.8% + $0.00 | $100.81 | $0.81 |
Data source: Stripe US merchant fees. Last verified: April 2026 .
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What to Charge — Example Amounts
| I Want to Receive | Stripe US | PayPal US | Wise US | Stripe UK | PayPal UK | Wise UK | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Fee | Charge | Fee | Charge | Fee | Charge | Fee | Charge | Fee | Charge | Fee | |
| 25.00 | $26.06 | $1.06 | $26.28 | $1.28 | $26.85 | $1.85 | £25.58 | £0.58 | £26.06 | £1.06 | £25.32 | £0.32 |
| 50.00 | $51.80 | $1.80 | $52.05 | $2.05 | $52.00 | $2.00 | £50.96 | £0.96 | £51.80 | £1.80 | £50.43 | £0.43 |
| 100.00 | $103.30 | $3.30 | $103.59 | $3.59 | $102.28 | $2.28 | £101.73 | £1.73 | £103.30 | £3.30 | £100.64 | £0.64 |
| 250.00 | $257.78 | $7.78 | $258.21 | $8.21 | $253.14 | $3.14 | £254.01 | £4.01 | £257.78 | £7.78 | £251.29 | £1.29 |
| 500.00 | $515.24 | $15.24 | $515.92 | $15.92 | $504.58 | $4.58 | £507.82 | £7.82 | £515.24 | £15.24 | £502.37 | £2.37 |
| 1,000.00 | $1,030.18 | $30.18 | $1,031.33 | $31.33 | $1,007.44 | $7.44 | £1,015.43 | £15.43 | £1,030.18 | £30.18 | £1,004.53 | £4.53 |
Amounts shown in each processor's native currency. Using each processor's default rate type: Stripe US — Domestic Card; PayPal US — Standard Card; Wise US — USD → EUR; Stripe UK — UK Domestic Card; PayPal UK — Standard Domestic; Wise UK — GBP → EUR.
How Stripe Gross-Up Calculation Works
When a client pays you $100 via Stripe using a domestic US card, Stripe deducts 2.9% of the total charge plus a $0.30 fixed fee before depositing the remainder into your account. If you invoice exactly $100, you receive $96.80 — a $3.20 shortfall. The fix is to charge more upfront using the gross-up formula.
The gross-up formula is: charge = (desired amount + fixed fee) / (1 − percent fee). For Stripe domestic card and a $100 target: (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = 100.30 / 0.971 = $103.30. Stripe then deducts $103.30 × 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.30, leaving exactly $100.00 in your account.
Stripe applies different rates depending on the card type. Domestic US cards are charged 2.9% + $0.30. Cards issued outside the US add a 1.5% surcharge for a total of 4.4% + $0.30. When currency conversion is also needed, an extra 1% applies, bringing the total to 5.4% + $0.30. Knowing which rate applies helps you quote precisely.
ACH Direct Debit is Stripe's lowest-cost option: 0.8% with no fixed fee, capped at $5 per transaction. For small to mid-sized payments ($625 and under), use charge = net / (1 − 0.008). For larger amounts, the fee is capped at $5, so simply add $5 to your net. ACH is ideal for recurring B2B invoices where settlement speed is less critical.
The Gross-Up Formula Explained
The gross-up formula solves a circular dependency: Stripe's percentage fee is applied to your charge amount, not to your desired net. If you simply add 2.9% to $100 and charge $102.90, Stripe's fee on $102.90 is $102.90 × 0.029 + $0.30 = $3.28, leaving you with $99.62 — short by $0.38.
Algebraic derivation:
net = charge × (1 − p) − f
charge = (net + f) / (1 − p)
Verified with Stripe Domestic Card ($100 net):
charge = (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = 100.30 / 0.971 = $103.30
Check: $103.30 × 0.971 − $0.30 = $100.00 ✓
Where p is the percentage
fee (0.029 for domestic card) and f is the fixed fee ($0.30).
Real Examples
SaaS Subscription Pricing
You're launching a $99/mo plan and want to net exactly $100 after Stripe's domestic card fee (2.9% + $0.30). Simply charging $100 leaves you with $96.80. Use the gross-up: (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = $103.30. If some subscribers pay with international cards (4.4% + $0.30), you'd need to charge $104.92 to net the same $100 — a useful data point when deciding whether to set a single global price or region-specific pricing.
Freelancer Client Invoice
You quote a client $100 for a project and want to receive exactly $100 after Stripe's cut. For a US client paying by domestic card, invoice $103.30. For a client paying from abroad with a foreign-issued card, invoice $104.92. If your client agrees to pay via ACH Direct Debit — common in B2B relationships — you only need to invoice $100.81, saving both parties nearly $2.50 in fee overage.
E-commerce Product Pricing
Setting a product price to net exactly $100 per sale means accounting for Stripe's domestic card fee. Price the item at $103.30. For larger volumes the math stays proportional: to net $500 per sale, price at $515.24; to net $1,000, price at $1,030.18. These figures use the domestic card rate (2.9% + $0.30) — if your store attracts significant international buyers, factor in the higher 4.4% + $0.30 international rate.
B2B Invoice via ACH Direct Debit
ACH Direct Debit is Stripe's lowest-cost US payment method at 0.8% with no fixed fee (capped at $5). To receive $100, charge just $100.81 — compared to $103.30 for domestic cards. For a $500 invoice, ACH costs only $4.03 in fees versus $15.24 for cards. The trade-off is a 2-5 business day settlement window versus near-instant card settlements. ACH is ideal for established B2B clients where trust is established and cash-flow timing is flexible.
Common Mistakes When Charging for Stripe Fees
✗ Myth: Just add 2.9% to your desired amount (e.g., $100 × 1.029 = $102.90)
Correct: This always falls short. If you charge $102.90, Stripe's fee is $102.90 × 0.029 + $0.30 = $3.28, leaving you with $102.90 − $3.28 = $99.62 — $0.38 short. The percentage is applied to the charge amount, not to the net you want. Use the correct gross-up: charge = (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = $103.30.
✗ Myth: ACH Direct Debit has no fees
Correct: ACH does have a fee — 0.8% of the transaction, capped at $5.00. It just happens to be much lower than card fees and has no fixed per-transaction component. To receive $100 via ACH, charge $100.81. To receive $625 or more via ACH, the fee is capped at $5, so the formula becomes: charge = net + $5.00 for large transactions.
✗ Myth: The fee is the same regardless of where your client's card was issued
Correct: Stripe charges different rates based on card origin. A US-issued card costs 2.9% + $0.30 (charge $103.30 to net $100). A foreign-issued card costs 4.4% + $0.30 (charge $104.92). If that foreign card also requires currency conversion, the rate rises to 5.4% + $0.30 (charge $106.03). For global businesses, knowing your customer's card origin can significantly affect your net revenue.
Stripe vs. PayPal: How Much to Charge for $100
To receive $100 via PayPal Standard Card (G&S, 2.99% + $0.49), charge $103.59. Stripe domestic card (2.9% + $0.30) requires only $103.30 — $0.29 less. The difference is modest for a single transaction but compounds across many invoices. For most freelancers and small businesses, the choice between Stripe and PayPal should be based on client preference and checkout experience, not the $0.29 fee difference per $100.
Stripe Domestic Card
$103.30
to receive $100
PayPal Standard Card
$103.59
to receive $100
Difference: $0.29 more with PayPal
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge to receive $100 after Stripe fees?
Charge $103.30 to receive exactly $100 when your client pays with a US domestic card (2.9% + $0.30). For an international card, charge $104.92 (4.4% + $0.30). For international card with currency conversion, charge $106.03 (5.4% + $0.30). For ACH Direct Debit, charge just $100.81 (0.8%). These use the gross-up formula: charge = (desired + fixed fee) / (1 − percent fee).
What is the Stripe gross-up formula?
Set x as the charge amount and net as what you want to receive. Stripe's fee is: fee = x × p + f, where p is the percent fee and f is the fixed fee. So net = x − (x × p + f) = x(1 − p) − f. Solving for x: x = (net + f) / (1 − p). For Stripe domestic card and $100 net: x = (100 + 0.30) / (1 − 0.029) = 100.30 / 0.971 = $103.30.
Does the Stripe gross-up formula work for ACH?
Yes, with one modification: ACH has no fixed fee (f = 0), so the formula simplifies to charge = net / (1 − 0.008). For $100 net: 100 / 0.992 = $100.81. However, ACH is capped at $5 total fee, so for any net above approximately $620, the charge is simply net + $5.00 — the percentage formula no longer applies once the cap is hit.
How does Stripe compare to PayPal for receiving $100?
To receive $100 via Stripe domestic card, charge $103.30. To receive $100 via PayPal Standard Card (G&S, 2.99% + $0.49), charge $103.59. Stripe is $0.29 cheaper per $100 transaction. The difference grows with transaction size: on a $1,000 invoice, Stripe's gross-up is $1,030.18 vs PayPal's $1,031.33 — a $1.15 difference. For most freelancers, the payment method choice should be driven by client preference, not the small fee gap.
Do Stripe fees change for international clients?
Yes. When a client pays with a card issued outside the US, Stripe applies a 1.5% surcharge on top of the base 2.9% + $0.30, making international card total rate 4.4% + $0.30. If currency conversion is also needed, an additional 1% is added, bringing it to 5.4% + $0.30. To net $100 with currency conversion: charge $106.03. This is a key reason to offer ACH or local payment methods for international B2B clients.
Is there a way to avoid Stripe's international card surcharge?
For US-based businesses, ACH Direct Debit avoids the international surcharge entirely — but it only works for US bank accounts. For international clients, Stripe's local payment methods (SEPA, iDEAL, etc.) may carry lower fees in their home currency. If a client pays via ACH from a US bank account, you pay 0.8% regardless of where the client is located, making ACH the best option for US clients with bank accounts who can pay via ACH.
Why does simply adding the Stripe fee percentage give the wrong amount?
Because Stripe's percentage is calculated on the charge amount you collect, not on the net you want to receive. If you want $100 and add 2.9% to get $102.90, Stripe charges 2.9% of $102.90 (= $2.98) plus $0.30 = $3.28 total fee. You receive $102.90 − $3.28 = $99.62, not $100. The correct approach uses algebra: rearrange net = charge × (1 − p) − f to get charge = (net + f) / (1 − p).
Does the $5 ACH cap affect the gross-up calculation?
Yes, for larger amounts. The 0.8% ACH rate is capped at $5.00 per transaction. The cap kicks in when 0.8% of the charge exceeds $5, i.e., when the charge exceeds $625. Beyond that, the formula becomes charge = net + $5.00 (add a flat $5 to your desired net). For example, to net $1,000 via ACH, charge $1,005.00. For net amounts up to ~$620, use the standard formula: charge = net / (1 − 0.008).
Compare with Other Processors
Stripe US
2.9% + $0.30 to 5.4% + $0.30
Calculate →PayPal US
2.29% + $0.09 to 3.49% + $0.49
Calculate →Wise US
0.41% + $1.70 to 0.66% + $1.70
Calculate →Stripe UK
1.5% + £0.20 to 3.25% + £0.20
Calculate →PayPal UK
1.5% + £0.10 to 4.89% + £0.30
Calculate →Wise UK
0.33% + £0.21 to 0.56% + £1.50
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