CalcFees

Square Fee Calculator

Calculate Square processing fees for every payment method -- in-person, online, invoice, and ACH. Updated for 2026.

$
Fees: 2.70% Profit: 97.30%

Total Fees

$2.70

Your Profit

$97.30

Fee Breakdown

In-person (tap/dip/swipe) (2.6%) $2.60
Fixed fee $0.10
Total $2.70

Fee data last verified: March 2026. Source: Square official pricing.

How Square Fees Work

Square keeps pricing simple -- no monthly fees, no contracts, and no hidden costs. Transaction rates are flat, varying by payment type. In-person payments using a Square reader cost 2.6% plus $0.10, a rate that's competitive with major processors.

Square Fee Rates

Payment Method Rate Fixed Fee
In-Person (Tap/Dip/Swipe)2.6%$0.10
Online2.9%$0.30
Manually Keyed3.5%$0.15
Invoice3.3%$0.30
ACH Bank Transfer1%$0 (min $1)

Payment Methods Explained

Online payments are 2.9% plus $0.30 -- similar to Stripe and Shopify Basic. Manually keyed-in transactions (entering card details) cost 3.5% plus $0.15, reflecting higher fraud risk. Invoiced payments through Square cost 3.3% plus $0.30 per invoice.

Square's lowest cost option is ACH bank transfers, at just 1% per transaction, with a $1 minimum. For larger sales like contractor work or B2B payments, ACH offers substantial savings compared to card processing.

Free POS System

Square doesn't charge monthly fees for its POS system, unlike Shopify's subscription plans. The basic package includes a free app, a complimentary card reader, inventory management, and simple reports. Upgraded plans -- Square Plus ($29/month) and Premium ($79/month) -- add features, but are optional.

Tips to Lower Your Square Costs

  1. Always use the card reader -- choosing a card reader instead of manual entry can save you nearly 1% on each transaction.
  2. Offer ACH for large invoices -- 1% versus 3.3% makes a huge difference on high-value sales.
  3. Consider Square Terminal -- the $299 hardware provides a faster, more professional checkout experience.
  4. Go paperless -- digital receipts lower operating expenses and speed up transactions.

Square vs Other Platforms

Square's in-person rate (2.6% + $0.10) stacks up well against Stripe Terminal (2.7% + $0.05) and PayPal QR Code (2.49% + $0.09). Online, Square's pricing (2.9% + $0.30) matches Stripe. Both platforms beat PayPal's rates (3.49% + $0.49). Check our full comparison for all the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Square charge per transaction?
Square charges 2.6% plus $0.10 for in-person card swipes, 2.9% plus $0.30 for online sales, 3.5% plus $0.15 for manually entered cards, 3.3% plus $0.30 for invoices, and 1% (with a $1 minimum) for ACH transfers.
What percentage does Square take?
Processing rates with Square range from 1% for ACH to 3.5% for manually keyed transactions. In-person tap, dip, or swipe payments cost 2.6% plus $0.10 each. Online payments align with Stripe at 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
Are there hidden fees on Square?
Square doesn't require monthly subscriptions, long-term contracts, or upfront setup fees. All rates are openly available on their website. That 3.5% fee for manual entry can be a surprise, though, as it's noticeably higher than other methods.
How to reduce Square fees?
Choosing a card reader instead of manual entry can save you nearly 1% on each transaction. Offering ACH payments for larger bills also cuts costs. Consider Square Terminal hardware for faster checkout experiences.
Square fees vs Stripe -- which is cheaper?
Square's in-person rate (2.6% + $0.10) stacks up well against Stripe Terminal (2.7% + $0.05) and PayPal QR Code (2.49% + $0.09). Online, Square's pricing (2.9% + $0.30) matches Stripe. Both platforms beat PayPal's rates (3.49% + $0.49).
Does Square have monthly fees?
The basic Square POS system is free to use -- you only pay for the transactions you process. Optional paid plans, such as Plus ($29/month) and Premium ($79/month), add team management and loyalty features but aren't required.

Compare With Other Platforms

Stripe PayPal Shopify eBay