By the numbers
The average cost of credit card processing is 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction, and most of that is interchange, according to published 2026 sources.
Last updated: Published by Avendo
NerdWallet's 2026 guide puts typical fees at 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction. The Card Fee Field Guide by Avendo gathers that figure and nine more published statistics on this page, each quoted exactly as its source stated it, so you can see what drives the cost and where savings tend to come from.
1.5% to 3.5%
Typical credit card processing fees as a share of each transaction's total.
Source: NerdWallet, Credit Card Processing Fees: A 2026 Guide for Businesses
75 to 90 percent
Share of total credit card processing fees that is interchange, often left unexamined.
Source: Revolution Payments, Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
10 to 25 percent
Share of total credit card processing fees that is processor markup, where most negotiation happens.
Source: Revolution Payments, Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
0.11% to 0.15%
General range for card network assessments, which are non-negotiable but not always flat.
Source: Revolution Payments, Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
Over $1,000
Transaction size above which Mastercard charges higher assessments.
Source: Revolution Payments, Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
2.6% + 10 cents
Example of a flat rate that combines interchange, assessments and markup.
Source: NerdWallet, Credit Card Processing Fees: A 2026 Guide for Businesses
0.4% + 8 cents
Example of a consistent interchange-plus markup.
Source: NerdWallet, Credit Card Processing Fees: A 2026 Guide for Businesses
$2,000 a year
Saved by cutting the effective rate by 0.20% on $1,000,000 of annual card volume.
Source: Clearly Payments, How to Lower Your Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
90 days
The period of statement data recommended for computing your figures before changing anything.
Source: Clearly Payments, How to Lower Your Credit Card Processing Fees in 2026
Under $10,000 a month
Processing volume at which flat rate fees can help avoid overthinking your processor relationship.
Source: Paystand, Flat Fee Credit Card Processing: Simple Payments
Read together, the figures point one way. Interchange is the largest share of what you pay, yet markup is where most businesses focus. Assessments are small and fixed by the networks. And modest changes in your effective rate add up: Clearly Payments' example shows a 0.20% cut worth $2,000 a year on $1,000,000 of volume.
That is the case for looking at every transaction, not only the rate card. Routing, the approach Avendo uses, sends each sale to the processor with the best available rate in real time. These statistics come from the sources named beside them; they are not Avendo's own results.
Back to the credit card processing cost guideShort answers here. Every question is also on the full FAQ page.
NerdWallet's 2026 guide places typical fees between 1.5% and 3.5% of a transaction. A single average hides a lot, because rewards cards, online sales and small tickets often cost more than basic cards taken in person. Your own effective rate is the most useful number to track.
See this answer in the FAQ: What is the average credit card processing fee in 2026?The card-issuing bank's share is interchange, which Revolution Payments estimates is 75 to 90 percent of total processing fees. Exact interchange rates come from card network schedules and vary by card type and transaction type, so check the interchange lines on your statement for your real figures.
See this answer in the FAQ: How much do banks charge businesses for card transactions?An assessment is the fee a card network such as Visa or Mastercard charges for using its network. Revolution Payments describes assessments as generally 0.11% to 0.15% and non-negotiable, but not always flat. For example, it notes that Mastercard charges higher assessments on transactions over $1,000.
See this answer in the FAQ: What is a card network assessment fee?Processor markup is often negotiable, while interchange and assessments usually are not. Revolution Payments describes assessments as non-negotiable and notes that most businesses spend their time negotiating markup, which it estimates at 10 to 25 percent of total fees. Steady volume and a clean history usually help.
See this answer in the FAQ: Are credit card processing rates negotiable?Many businesses add card fees or surcharges to offset processing costs, which NerdWallet puts at 1.5% to 3.5% of each transaction. For a small business with thin margins, that share matters. Lowering your effective rate is an alternative to passing fees on to customers.
See this answer in the FAQ: Why is everyone charging credit card fees now?Avendo connects your existing checkout to multiple payment processors and routes each sale to the best available rate. Tell the Avendo team about your store and ask how it would work for you.
Published by Avendo
