How much does Square charge per transaction?

Square's standard US rates are 2.6% + $0.10 in person, 2.9% + $0.30 online, 3.3% + $0.30 for invoices paid online by card, and 3.5% + $0.15 for manually keyed-in cards. ACH bank-transfer invoices are 1% (minimum $1).

Is Square cheaper than Stripe or PayPal for in-person?

Yes. Square's 2.6% + $0.10 in-person rate is meaningfully cheaper than Stripe Terminal (2.7% + $0.05) and PayPal Zettle (2.29% + $0.09 — slightly cheaper on the rate but higher per-tap fixed cost at low ticket sizes). For online, Square matches Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30.

Are there monthly fees with Square?

Square's basic POS and Square Online have no monthly fee — you only pay per transaction. Paid tiers (Square for Restaurants Plus, Square Appointments Plus/Premium, Square Online Plus) add $29–$165/mo with lower per-transaction rates or extra features like e-commerce abandonment recovery.

When does Square deposit my money?

Standard transfers arrive in 1–2 business days at no extra cost. Instant Transfer is available for 1.75% of the transferred amount. Square also offers next-day scheduled deposits at no charge if you opt in during business hours.

Should I use Square for a low-margin business?

Run the actual fee through this calculator and check the resulting margin in our profit margin calculator. At a $5 ticket, even the 2.6% + $0.10 in-person rate is an effective 4.6% — fine for retail but punishing for things like coffee or single-item snacks. Many low-ticket sellers offset this with a cash discount or a small surcharge.

Square Fee Calculator (2026) — In-Person, Online & Invoice

Free Square fee calculator: see in-person, online, invoice and keyed-in card fees per transaction. Compare Square's rates against Stripe and PayPal instantly.

Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Payment Channel

Transaction Amount ($)

Instant Results

$1.40

Square Fee

$48.60

You Receive

2.80%

Effective Rate

How to Use

Pick the channel you're charging through — Square's rate depends on whether the card is present.
Enter the transaction amount in US dollars.
Read the Square fee, your take-home, and the effective percentage rate.
Comparing payment processors? Run the same charge through our Stripe fee calculator and PayPal fee calculator.

Formula Explained

Square Fee = (Amount × 2.6%) + $0.10 fixed

Amount: = Gross transaction amount charged to the customer
Rate %: = Square's percentage rate for the selected channel (2.6%–3.5%)
Fixed Fee: = Per-transaction flat fee ($0.10–$0.30 depending on channel)

Worked example: In-person $50 charge: fee = ($50 × 2.6%) + $0.10 = $1.30 + $0.10 = $1.40. You receive $48.60.

Square Fee Calculator (2026) — In-Person, Online & Invoice

How to Use

Formula Explained

References

Frequently Asked Questions