📖 Overview
This calculator shows how much each international sale loses to payment processing layers before payout.
It computes base fees cross border surcharge and FX drag so pricing can protect real margin.
🧪 Example Scenarios
Use these default and higher-pressure example inputs to explore how sensitive this calculator is before using your real numbers.
| Input | Base Case | Higher Pressure Case |
|---|---|---|
| Sale Amount ($) | 50 | 57.5 |
| Processor Fee Rate (%) | 2.9 | 3.48 |
| Fixed Fee ($) | 0.3 | 0.35 |
| Cross Border Surcharge (%) | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| FX Conversion Fee (%) | 2 | 2.4 |
⚙️ How It Works
Calculates total processing drag on international transactions by summing percentage fee fixed fee cross-border surcharge and FX conversion fee.
The Formula
Net Payout = Sale Amount − (Processor Fee + Cross-border Fee + FX Fee)
| Sale Amount | Gross transaction value before deductions |
| Processor Fee Rate | Base percentage fee charged by processor |
| Fixed Fee | Flat per-transaction fee component |
| Cross-border Surcharge | Additional international transaction percentage fee |
| FX Conversion Fee | Currency conversion percentage fee |
💡This calculator is scenario-based. Better input quality leads to better decision quality.
⚠️Micro-transactions are disproportionately hit by fixed fees. If net payout is weak raise minimum order value or bundle offers.
Quick Reference
| Sale Amount | Total Fee % | Total Fees | Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | 10.5% | $2.10 | $17.90 |
| $50 | 8.8% | $4.40 | $45.60 |
| $120 | 7.9% | $9.48 | $110.52 |
When To Use This
- Use this tool when you need a fast decision during active planning or execution.
- Use this before committing money, time, or tradeoffs that are hard to reverse.
- Use this to compare options using the same assumptions across scenarios.
Edge Cases To Watch
- Results can be misleading if key inputs are missing, stale, or unrealistic.
- Very small or very large values may amplify rounding effects and interpretation risk.
- If assumptions change mid-decision, recalculate before acting.
Practical Tips
💡 Model fee drag before setting international promo discounts.
💡 Compare processors on your real average order value not headline rates.
💡 Separate fixed and percentage components when pricing low-ticket products.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Why is effective take-rate higher on small sales?
The fixed fee becomes a larger share of the transaction amount.
❓ Should FX fee always be included?
Include it whenever payout and customer currency are different or automatic conversion is applied.