What is customer lifetime value (CLV)?

CLV is the total revenue you expect from an average customer over the whole time they buy from you. It tells you how much you can afford to spend to acquire a customer.

How do I calculate CLV?

CLV = average order value × purchase frequency (orders per year) × customer lifespan (years). Multiply by your gross margin to get profit CLV.

It sets your customer-acquisition budget: if a customer is worth $300 over their lifetime, spending $50 to acquire them is a good deal. It also highlights the value of retention.

What is a good CLV to CAC ratio?

A common benchmark is a 3:1 ratio of lifetime value to customer-acquisition cost. Below 1:1 you lose money on every customer; above 3:1 you may be under-investing in growth.

PayPal Fee Calculator

See exactly what PayPal takes — and what you keep — on any payment.

Payment details

Mode

Amount sent to you

Fee type

International payment (+1.5%)

You receive (after fees)

$0.00

Quick answer: PayPal's standard US Goods & Services fee is about 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. On a $100 payment that's roughly $3.98 in fees, leaving you $96.02. Use the calculator for your exact amount and rate.

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Current PayPal fees (2026)

Payment type	US fee
Goods & Services	3.49% + $0.49
Standard / checkout	~2.99% + $0.49
Micropayments	4.99% + $0.09
In-person / QR code	2.29% + $0.09
International	+ ~1.5% cross-border

PayPal fees vary by country, account and payment type and change over time. Figures are US estimates as of 2026 — verify with your latest PayPal statement.

Selling online? ZIK Analytics helps you find products with margins that survive payment fees.

Frequently asked questions

How much does PayPal charge?

For US Goods & Services payments PayPal's standard fee is about 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. Micropayments are 4.99% + $0.09, and in-person/QR payments are 2.29% + $0.09. Cross-border payments add roughly 1.5%.

How are PayPal fees calculated?

PayPal takes a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed fee. On a $100 Goods & Services payment that's $100 × 3.49% + $0.49 = $3.98, leaving you $96.02.

How much should I charge to receive a specific amount?

Switch the calculator to “I want to receive”, enter your target, and it grosses up the amount the buyer should send so you net exactly what you want after fees.

Can I avoid PayPal fees?

Friends & Family payments funded by balance or bank are usually free, but can't be used for sales. For Goods & Services, fees apply and offer buyer/seller protection.