How much does PayPal charge to convert currency
PayPal charges a currency conversion markup of about 3% to 4% above the base exchange rate, built into the rate it quotes rather than shown as a separate fee.
Because the markup sits inside the exchange rate, the PayPal rate does not match the live mid-market rate, and the cost is easy to miss. The exact percentage varies with your region, the currencies involved and the type of transaction.
- Balance conversions and withdrawals: Converting money inside your account, withdrawing to a linked local bank account or accepting a payment in a currency other than your primary one typically costs 3% to 4%.
- Personal international payments: Sending money to friends or family abroad and standard retail checkouts usually carry a 4% conversion rate.
Conversion is often only one layer of the cost when money crosses borders. When reviewing PayPal pricing for international payments, other fees can apply on top:
- Sending to friends and family abroad: A 5% transfer fee, with a minimum of 0.99 USD and a maximum of 4.99 USD, applies alongside the 4% conversion charge, for a total impact of roughly 4% to 9%.
- Receiving business payments: A transaction fee of 2.99% to 4.40% plus a fixed fee applies, and with a 3% to 4% conversion charge the total can reach roughly 7% to 9%.
To see the rate before you pay, use the PayPal currency calculator:
- Open Wallet: Log in to PayPal and go to Wallet.
- Select the calculator: Click Currency calculator.
- Choose currencies: Pick the currencies to convert from and to, and the exchange rate appears automatically.
For purchases from international online stores, you can sometimes let your card issuer handle the conversion instead of PayPal, which may cost closer to 1% to 2%.