Calculate your Square payment processing fees instantly with
our free, accurate calculator. Estimate costs for in-person,
online, and keyed transactions in seconds.
Note: All fees are estimates based on Square's standard U.S. pricing as of .
Rates may vary by country, business type, and transaction volume. Verify current rates with Square directly.
Enter an amount to see the fee breakdown
Square has revolutionized payment processing for small businesses since its launch in 2009, providing transparent, flat-rate pricing that eliminates hidden fees and long-term contracts. Whether you’re running a coffee shop, retail store, or online business, understanding Square’s fee structure is crucial for maintaining healthy profit margins and making informed business decisions.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about Square’s transaction fees, helping you calculate costs accurately and optimize your payment processing strategy.
Calculating Square fees manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when processing multiple transactions daily. A dedicated Square fee calculator offers several critical advantages:
Square uses a straightforward flat-rate pricing model that consists of two components:
This is a percentage of the total transaction amount that varies based on how the card is processed. In-person transactions have the lowest percentage (2.6%) because they present the lowest fraud risk. Online and keyed transactions carry higher percentages due to increased fraud exposure.
Every transaction includes a small fixed fee (10¢, 15¢, or 30¢) regardless of the transaction amount. This covers basic processing infrastructure costs.
Card-present transactions occur when customers physically present their payment card at your business location. These include:
These transactions receive the lowest rate because the physical card presence significantly reduces fraud risk. The card’s chip or contactless technology provides additional security verification.
Card-not-present transactions happen when the physical card isn’t available during payment. Common scenarios include:
The slightly higher rate reflects increased fraud risk when cards aren’t physically verified at point of sale.
Keyed-in transactions involve manually entering card details into the Square system. This includes:
This transaction type carries the highest fee due to maximum fraud exposure and increased chargeback risk when card information is manually entered without physical or EMV verification.
Our professional Square fee calculator includes advanced features designed for accurate financial planning:
How Stripe fees compare to other popular payment processors
Square’s fee structure is particularly advantageous for:
For US businesses, ACH Direct Debit is capped at $5, making it ideal for transactions over $625. A $5,000 invoice costs $5 via ACH versus $145.30 via credit card.
Custom rates can reduce your processing costs by 0.1-0.5%, potentially saving thousands of dollars annually. Contact Square’s sales team to discuss eligibility and potential savings.
💰 Cost-Saving Tip: A business processing $10,000 monthly that shifts from 50% online to 80% in-person transactions can save approximately $180 per month in processing fees.
Can I negotiate lower rates with Square?
Square typically doesn’t negotiate rates for small businesses. However, businesses processing over $250,000 annually may qualify for custom pricing with reduced rates. Contact Square’s sales team to discuss eligibility once you reach higher processing volumes.
What happens to Square fees when I issue a refund?
When you refund a transaction, the customer receives their full payment back. However, Square does not refund the processing fee you originally paid. This means refunds reduce your net revenue by the original transaction amount plus the processing fee.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Square for small businesses?
While some processors offer slightly lower rates, Square’s combination of no monthly fees, transparent pricing, free software, and integrated business tools often makes it the most cost-effective solution for small businesses. Always calculate total costs including hidden fees when comparing providers.
How accurate is this Square fee calculator?
Our calculator uses Square’s official 2025 fee structure and provides accurate estimates for standard transactions. Actual fees may vary slightly based on your specific account terms, international transactions, or custom pricing agreements. Always verify with Square for business-critical calculations.
Does Square charge extra for American Express transactions?
No, Square’s flat-rate pricing includes American Express at no additional cost. This is a significant advantage over traditional merchant accounts that often charge 3.5-4% for Amex transactions.
