Free merchant processing fee calculator: effective rate, interchange, and card acceptance cost. No signup.
Last updated 2026-05-28 · Davi Baptista
How it works
Free merchant fee calculator from Fynvorax. Compare flat-rate processing costs to interchange-plus pricing by ticket size and volume.
<p>For independent retail merchants, digital e-commerce operators, and business-to-business enterprise platforms, credit card processing fees are an ongoing cost of doing business. Often, online merchants default to popular flat-rate processors that advertise a seemingly simple fee structure (such as 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). However, while simple, this one-size-fits-all model often hides considerable margins. The credit card industry actually operates on a modular wholesale cost network called interchange, which is set directly by payment card associations like Visa and Mastercard.</p>
<p>Interchange rates represent the actual base cost of card transactions. These rates vary widely depending on the type of card presented—ranging from below 0.5% for basic local debit cards to over 2.2% for corporate rewards credit cards. Under a flat-rate contract, you pay the same highest-tier price for every single transaction, and the processor pockets the entire difference. Interchange-plus pricing contracts bypass this markup. This transparent merchant account model bills you the exact wholesale cost of the card plus a small, predetermined markup (such as 0.35% + $0.10). For businesses with high sales volumes or high average transaction values, switching to interchange-plus pricing can drastically lower processing bills and put money back into your bank account.</p>
<p>This payment cost analyzer calculates your transaction metrics across flat-rate plans and interchange-plus offers based on your transaction volumes, average ticket values, and card types. Deciding with data lets you negotiate stronger processing contracts, optimize your checkout integrations, and safeguard your company's margins.</p>
Frequently asked questions
What is Interchange-Plus pricing?
Interchange-Plus is a merchant billing model where a payment processor passes the exact wholesale interchange rate set by credit card brands directly to the merchant, adding a separate, clear, and transparent markup fee.
Is Interchange-Plus pricing always cheaper for businesses?
Yes, in nearly all cases where monthly volume exceed $5,000 to $10,000, Interchange-Plus offers substantial savings. Flat rates are only cost-effective for small merchants with low transaction volumes and very small average ticket sizes.
How much do merchants pay on a $100 sale?
Roughly $2.50–$3.20 on 2.9%+$0.30 pricing; debit and in-person rates can be lower. Rewards cards cost merchants more.