Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Order Value | % Fee | Fixed Fee | Reserve % | Estimated Total Fees | Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic retail order | $120.00 | 2.90% | $0.30 | 2.00% | $6.34 | $124.06 |
| Low-ticket order | $35.00 | 2.90% | $0.30 | 1.00% | $1.67 | $33.33 |
| Cross-border order | $200.00 | 3.40% | $0.30 | 5.00% | $18.10 | $181.90 |
Formula Used
Chargeable base = order value − discounts + included shipping + included tax − refunds
Variable fee = chargeable base × (percentage fee + cross-border fee + currency conversion fee)
Per-order fees = fixed fee + gateway fee + refund processing fee + chargeback fees
Monthly allocation = monthly account fee ÷ monthly transactions
Reserve hold = chargeable base × reserve percentage
Total merchant fees = variable fee + per-order fees + monthly allocation + reserve hold
Net payout = collected amount − total merchant fees − product cost
Effective fee rate = total merchant fees ÷ collected amount × 100
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the order value, shipping, tax, and discount details first. Add your processor percentage rate, fixed fee, gateway fee, and any international or conversion charges.
Include refund amounts, reserve holds, monthly account costs, and chargeback fees when they apply. Then click the calculate button to generate payout, fee, and margin outputs.
Review the result cards above the form. Use the CSV download for recordkeeping and the PDF option when you need a printable pricing summary.
FAQs
1. What does this merchant fee calculator estimate?
It estimates processing costs, reserve holds, chargeback fees, monthly allocations, effective fee rate, and final payout after product cost.
2. Should taxes always be included in the fee base?
No. Some processors charge fees on tax amounts, while others do not. Use the tax inclusion option to match your agreement.
3. Why is the fixed fee important on small orders?
Fixed charges can consume a larger share of low-ticket sales. They often raise the effective fee rate more than percentage fees.
4. What is a reserve hold?
A reserve hold is money temporarily withheld by the processor to cover fraud, disputes, refunds, or cash-flow risk.
5. How are monthly fees handled here?
The calculator spreads the monthly account fee across your expected monthly transactions. That gives a realistic per-order cost view.
6. Can I use this for international orders?
Yes. Enter cross-border and currency conversion percentages to model extra charges often applied to overseas card payments.
7. Does net payout include product cost?
Yes. This version subtracts product cost from collected funds after merchant fees, helping you view operational profit per order.
8. Why export the result to CSV or PDF?
Exports help with fee reviews, vendor comparisons, internal reporting, and sharing pricing assumptions with finance or operations teams.