Free tool · PW-MF/DECODER
The Statement Decoder: what are you really paying?
Enter four numbers off your statement. We compute your effective rate — the one honest number — and estimate the blended markup above the wholesale cost, adjusted for your card mix and ticket size, so the verdict actually fits your business.
Your results will appear here — effective rate, an estimated markup range adjusted for your card mix and ticket size, a verdict, and any avoidable fees flagged.
Common questions
Statement Decoder — questions
How do I calculate my effective rate?
Divide your total monthly processing fees by your total monthly card volume, then multiply by 100. Example: $1,150 in fees on $40,000 of card sales = a 2.875% effective rate. It is the single honest number for what you actually pay, and the Statement Decoder computes it for you.
Why does the calculator ask for my average ticket and card mix?
Because both change what a fair fee looks like. Per-transaction fees (a few cents) are a large percentage on a $5 sale and a tiny one on a $500 sale, so the fair markup is ticket-dependent. And debit cards cost far less at wholesale than rewards credit cards, so a debit-heavy business has a much lower true cost. The calculator uses both to estimate your markup honestly instead of applying one flat assumption.
Is the markup number exact?
No — it is an estimate. Your effective rate is exact (it is just your fees ÷ your volume), but isolating the markup requires your real interchange, which depends on your exact card-by-card mix. We estimate a wholesale range for your card mix and show the markup as a range. This is not your actual interchange — only your statement line items show that. A full statement read isolates it precisely.
Is this a quote or financial advice?
Neither. It is an estimate computed from the numbers you enter, for orientation only. Always verify against your own statement before acting. PriceWorld takes no commission or affiliate fee from any processor.