Interchange Fee Estimator
Interchange is the fee the issuer charges the acquirer, which the acquirer passes on. This estimator shows what a transaction is likely to cost before you commit to a price.
How this tool works
Interchange is published in basis points and varies by brand, card level, transaction type and whether the transaction is card present, card not present or recurring. Card not present pricing adds a scheme assessment and an acquirer markup, which is why online rates are materially higher. Recurring transactions are often priced lower because the fraud exposure is lower once a card is stored. The estimator produces an indicative range rather than a quoted rate, because the real number comes from your acquirer contract.
When to use it
- Price a product before choosing a payment provider
- Model the margin impact of a new card mix
- Compare card present and online economics
- Sanity check an acquirer quote
Frequently asked questions
Is the estimate the rate my acquirer charges?
No. The published interchange is the base; your acquirer adds its own markup and fee schedule.
Why is online interchange higher?
Card not present transactions add scheme assessment fees and carry a higher fraud risk premium.
Is recurring cheaper?
Usually yes, because stored credentials reduce fraud exposure.
Does the card brand change the rate?
Yes. Premium brands and levels carry higher published interchange.