Payment fees
Currency conversion fee calculator for merchants.
Enter a foreign-currency sale, your base processing fee and the conversion percentage. See the total fee and what repeated conversions cost over a year.
A $100.00 sale at 2.9% + $0.30 with a 2% conversion fee costs $5.20 in total (5.20% effective), of which conversion is $2.00. Forty such sales a month add $80.00, or $960.00 a year.
Your numbers
Result
Worked example
Sale $100.00. Base fee = $100.00 x 2.9% + $0.30 = $3.20. Conversion fee = $100.00 x 2% = $2.00. Total $5.20, so you keep $94.80. Forty conversions a month cost 40 x $2.00 = $80.00, or $960.00 over twelve months at the same pace.
How it works
Total fee = amount x base % + fixed fee + amount x conversion %. The presets come from the Canadian pages opened 2026-10-08: Stripe lists 2% if currency conversion is required on top of its card rate, and PayPal lists a minimum currency conversion rate of 4.00% for converting payments in another currency. Providers differ on what the percentage is applied to and some build a margin into the exchange rate, so treat the result as an estimate.
This page is for merchants receiving foreign-currency payments. If you are the cardholder paying a foreign charge, use the foreign transaction fee calculator. For the base fee, start from the Stripe or PayPal calculator.
Estimates only, from numbers you enter. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates and rules change: verify them with your provider.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Sources
- Pricing & Fees - Stripe (Canada) (opened 2026-10-08): an extra 2% if currency conversion is required.
- Fees | Merchant and Business | PayPal CA (opened 2026-10-08): currency conversion fee table: minimum 4.00% for converting payments in another currency.
FAQ
How much is a payment processor currency conversion fee?
It varies. Stripe's Canadian page opened 2026-10-08 lists an extra 2% when currency conversion is required, and PayPal Canada lists a minimum 4.00% for converting payments in another currency. Confirm yours.
Is the conversion fee on top of the card fee?
The sources show it as an add-on to the standard rate, which is how this calculator treats it. Check your own statement.
Is there also an exchange rate markup?
Possibly. Some providers apply a rate that differs from the mid-market rate. This calculator only models the percentage you enter.
How can I avoid conversion fees?
Options include pricing in the customer's currency and settling in that currency, or holding balances in multiple currencies, where your provider supports it. Compare the total cost, not just the headline fee.
Is this an exact figure?
No. It is an estimate from the rates you enter and is not financial advice.