Freelancers · Invoicing
Gross up an invoice for fees.
Tell us what you need to receive. We work out what to put on the invoice so the fees come out of the extra, not out of your pay.
Invoice = (net wanted / (1 - spread) + fixed fee) / (1 - fee %). To keep 1,000 after a 3% fee and a 0.30 fixed fee, invoice 1,031.24. Adding 3% to 1,000 would leave you 0.91 short.
Your numbers
Result
Worked example
Worked example. You want 1,000 net. The provider takes 3% plus 0.30. Invoice (1,000 + 0.30) / 0.97 = 1,031.24, rounded up to 1,031.24. Fees of 3% plus 0.30 on that come to 31.24, leaving 1,000.00. The shortcut of adding 3% and 0.30 to 1,000 gives 1,030.30 and leaves 999.09, 0.91 short. The 3% and 0.30 are example inputs only.
How it works
A percentage fee is taken from the invoice total, not from the amount you want. If you invoice 1,030 and the fee is 3%, the fee is 30.90, not 30. So the fee percentage must be divided out, not added on.
With a percentage fee p, a fixed fee f and a conversion spread s taken from the balance after fees, received = (invoice - invoice x p - f) x (1 - s). Solving for the invoice gives invoice = (net / (1 - s) + f) / (1 - p). The result is rounded up to the next cent so you never land a cent short.
Check that a surcharge is allowed before you add one: some card networks, platforms, countries and contracts restrict or require disclosure of surcharges. That is a rule about your situation, so read the terms of your payment provider and your client contract. The alternative is to build the cost into your rate instead of showing a line item.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored. This is an estimate for planning, not tax, legal or financial advice.
FAQ
How much should I invoice to receive a net amount after fees?
Divide the net amount by 1 minus the fee percentage (as a decimal), after adding any fixed fee. For a 3% fee that is net / 0.97, not net x 1.03.
Why is net x 1.03 wrong for a 3% fee?
Because the fee is charged on the larger invoice total, not on your net. The extra 3% of the net is itself charged 3%, so you end up a little short.
Can I add a payment fee surcharge to an invoice?
It depends on your payment provider, card network, country and client agreement. Check their terms first. Building the cost into your rate avoids the question.
How do I include a currency-conversion spread?
Enter it in the spread field. It is applied to what is left after the fees, so the invoice grows by net / (1 - spread) before the percentage fee is divided out.
Sources and basis
Checked
- PayPal: business fees (where PayPal publishes its own fees)
- Wise: send money pricing (where Wise publishes its own fees)
Your fee figures are typed in by you and the result is arithmetic. Each provider publishes its own fees at the pages above.