Chapter 07Last updated: November 3, 2026Published by Avendo
Payment processing fees by the numbers
The most quoted number in card processing is that fees typically cost a business 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction, as reported by NerdWallet and CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
This chapter of the Avendo Fee Field Guide collects every published statistic the guide relies on, each with its source, range and conditions. None of these figures are Avendo's own; they come from the third-party pages linked beside them, and they power the calculator and worked examples across this site.
What are the key numbers behind credit card processing rates and fees?
Four ranges explain most of what you pay: the 1.5% to 3.5% total, interchange of 1% to 3%, assessments of 0.13% to 0.15%, and the processor markup that sits on top. The panels below give each figure with its exact wording and source.
Typical total card processing fee
1.5% to 3.5%
Credit card processing fees typically cost a business 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction, varying by processor and pricing structure.
Source: NerdWallet
US interchange range
1% to 3%
Interchange fees range from 1% to 3% and are nonnegotiable.
Base assessment fees
0.13% to 0.15%
Credit card assessment fees are a small percentage of each transaction, with base costs ranging from 0.13% to 0.15%.
Flat-rate pricing example
2.6% + 10¢
Flat-rate processors combine interchange, assessment fees and markups into a set amount, for example 2.6% plus 10 cents.
Source: NerdWallet
Interchange-plus markup example
0.4% + 8¢
Interchange-plus processors charge a consistent markup, for example 0.4% plus 8 cents.
Source: NerdWallet
UK interchange caps
0.2% / 0.3%
In the UK, interchange is capped at 0.2% of the transaction value for consumer debit cards and 0.3% for consumer credit cards.
Source: Stored
UK scheme fees
0.02% to 0.2%
On top of interchange, Visa and Mastercard charge scheme fees of approximately 0.02% to 0.2%.
Source: Stored
Value of a 0.20% lower rate
$2,000 a year
On $1,000,000 a year in card volume, cutting the effective rate by 0.20% saves $2,000 per year.
Source: Clearly Payments
Published in-person rates in the UK
| Provider | In-person rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SumUp | 1.69% | Stored |
| Square | 1.75% | Stored |
| Zettle by PayPal | 1.75% | Stored |
These are UK in-person rates only. Read the context in UK card payment fees explained, or run them through the credit card processing rates and fees calculator.
Questions merchants ask
What are typical credit card processing rates and fees?
Typical credit card processing rates and fees range from 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction, usually plus a flat per-transaction fee, according to both NerdWallet and CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Where you land depends on the pricing model, the card type, and whether the payment is taken online or in person.
What is an interchange fee?
Interchange is the part of the fee paid to the bank that issued your customer's card. CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that interchange fees range from 1% to 3% and are nonnegotiable. In the UK, Stored reports interchange is capped at 0.2% for consumer debit cards and 0.3% for consumer credit cards.
What is an assessment fee?
An assessment fee is the charge card networks such as Visa and Mastercard add to each transaction. CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports base assessment costs ranging from 0.13% to 0.15% of each transaction. For the UK, Stored describes scheme fees of approximately 0.02% to 0.2% charged on top of interchange.
Are debit card fees lower than credit card fees?
Debit card fees are usually lower than credit card fees. In the UK, Stored reports interchange caps of 0.2% for consumer debit cards and 0.3% for consumer credit cards. Your processor's markup and scheme fees are added on top, so check how your statement separates the two card types.
What are Square's card fees?
Stored reports that Square charges 1.75% per in-person transaction in the UK, the same as Zettle by PayPal, while SumUp charges 1.69%. Those are UK in-person rates as published by Stored; online and other-country rates differ. Check Square's own pricing page for the current rate in your country and sales channel.
How do I estimate yearly processing costs?
Multiply your estimated monthly fees by 12. At $285 a month, yearly fees come to $3,420. If your sales are seasonal, add up each month separately instead. Small rate changes compound at volume: Clearly Payments shows that a 0.20% lower effective rate saves $2,000 a year on $1,000,000 in card volume.
Turn the averages into your own figure
Avendo provides clearer pricing and processing reports, so your real effective rate is easy to see.