Free tool
Cash discount & surcharge calculator
Enter a base price and the fee percentage you want to pass through. We show the surcharged card price and the equivalent cash price.
- Card price (surcharged)
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- Cash price
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- Fee per sale
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- Fees offset / month
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Estimate only. Actual programs must follow state law and Visa/Mastercard rules on disclosure, caps and receipts. Debit surcharging is generally prohibited.
How the math works
A surcharge multiplies the base price by (1 + fee%) for card payers, so the fee amount is base × fee%. A cash-discount program posts that surcharged price as the shelf price and subtracts the fee for cash payers, landing back at the base price. Multiply the fee per sale by your monthly card transaction count to estimate how much processing cost you offset.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a surcharge and a cash discount?
A surcharge adds a fee to credit-card transactions. A cash-discount program posts the card price as the shelf price and gives a discount for paying cash. Both aim to offset processing costs, but the rules and disclosure requirements differ.
Is surcharging legal?
Credit-card surcharging is allowed in most US states with proper disclosure and a network cap (commonly 3%). A few states restrict or prohibit it, and debit-card surcharging is generally not allowed. Confirm your state and card-network rules before switching it on.
Will surcharging cost me sales?
Some customers react badly to a visible add-on fee. Cash-discount framing is often better received. Test with clear signage and watch your card mix and average ticket.
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