Card processing across 10 payments
$1,000 gross revenue · 2.9% percentage fee · $0.30 per transaction · 10 transactions.
Total fees: $32.00 · Effective rate: 3.20%
The ten fixed charges add 0.30 percentage points above the advertised 2.9% rate.
One number for every fee
Effective fee rate calculator
Headline percentages hide fixed charges and subscriptions. Effective rate divides every included fee by gross revenue so two very different pricing structures can be compared on the same basis.
Effective rate = total included fees ÷ gross revenue × 100Effective fee rate
3.20%Total fees: $32.00 · You keep: $968.00Worked examples
Check the math before using your own numbers.
Static examples make every included cost and result visible. The calculator above updates instantly for your scenario.
Paid plan with lower transaction fees
$1,000 gross revenue · 2% fee · $0.30 across 20 transactions · $29 monthly plan.
Total fees: $55.00 · Effective rate: 5.50%
The subscription and fixed charges matter more than the headline 2% rate at this sales volume.
Common questions
Why is my effective rate higher than the advertised rate?
Fixed per-transaction fees and monthly subscriptions raise the total cost above the advertised percentage, especially at low revenue.
Should I include taxes and advertising?
Include a cost only when you want it represented in the comparison. Keep platform fees separate from broader profit-margin calculations.