How Much Should I Charge to Cover Processing Fees?

Reviewed by The NetFee Tools Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-11-07

If you want to keep a specific amount after fees, you can’t just add the percentage — you have to gross up. Here’s the reverse math, with a worked example and a calculator.

The trap: adding the percentage isn’t enough

Suppose you want to keep $100 after a 2.90% + $0.30 fee. If you charge $100 + 2.90% = $102.90, the fee on $102.90 is about $3.28, so you’d receive only ~$99.62 — short of your goal. You have to gross up the amount instead.

The formula

To keep N after a percentage p and fixed fee F: charge at least (N + F) ÷ (1 − p). The calculators do this for you in “Keep → charge” mode, but the intuition is: the fee is taken from the amount you charge, so the kept amount is what’s left after the cut.

Worked example (Stripe, 2.90% + $0.30)

You want to keep: $100.00
Add the fixed fee: $100.30
Divide by (1 − 0.029) = 0.971: $100.30 ÷ 0.971 ≈ $103.29
Check: fee on $103.29 = $3.00 (2.90%) + $0.30 = $3.30; you receive $103.29 − $3.30 = $99.99 (rounding) — essentially your $100.

Make it automatic

Open any calculator, switch to “Keep → charge,” and enter the amount you want to receive. The tool returns the smallest charge that nets at least that amount for Stripe, PayPal, or Square, or all three at once.

These figures use seed rates verified on the fee data pages; always confirm current rates before setting prices.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge to cover processing fees?

Work backwards from what you want to keep. To net $100 at Stripe's US seed rate, our reverse calculator returns $103.30 (fee $3.29, you keep $100.01). Use "charge → keep" mode for any amount.

Open a calculator →

Why is adding the percentage not enough?

If you add 2.90% to a $100 price, the processor also charges 2.90% on the added $2.90, so you still end up short. The correct approach divides by (1 − rate) after accounting for the fixed fee.

What is a gross-up?

A gross-up is setting a higher charge so that, after the fee is deducted, you receive your intended net amount. It is the reverse of the usual "charge → fee → payout" calculation.

Does the fixed fee matter for small charges?

Yes, proportionally more. A $0.30 fixed fee is 6% of a $5 charge but only 0.03% of a $1,000 charge, so the effective rate is much higher on small transactions.