Guide · US freelancers
How Stripe fees work (US)
A short, practical walkthrough of domestic card fees so you know what you keep — before you invoice.
The default formula
For a typical US online card charge, Stripe’s published rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful payment:
fee = amount × 0.029 + 0.30
net = amount − fee
Example: charge $100 → fee $3.20 → you keep $96.80. Run it live in the Stripe Fee calculator.
Why “add 3% on top” under-compensates
The percent applies to the gross you charge. If a client must pay enough that you still net $100 after fees, you need:
charge = (targetNet + 0.30) ÷ (1 − 0.029)
That is what the Stripe Reverse Invoice tool does — so you do not leave money on the table by stacking percent on the net alone.
How this compares
- PayPal Fee (US) — default commercial card often 2.99% + $0.49 (USD). Similar shape, different fixed fee.
- Wise Fee — transfer corridors, not card checkout. Fees vary by route and funding method; use presets then confirm the live Wise quote.
- Gumroad Take-Home — marketplace cut (10% + $0.50 direct) plus optional processing on top.
What this guide does not cover
International cards, currency conversion, Radar, Billing, Instant Payouts, and Connect pricing all differ. Always verify on stripe.com/pricing before you invoice. TakeHome is not affiliated with Stripe, PayPal, Wise, or Gumroad.
FAQ
What is the default US Stripe card fee?
For typical US domestic card payments, Stripe’s published online rate is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge. Other products differ — confirm on Stripe’s pricing page.
Why can’t I just add 2.9% on top of my net?
Because the percent is charged on the gross. Use the Reverse Invoice calculator.
Is TakeHome affiliated with Stripe?
No. Independent estimates only.