The PayPal Link Generator — link plus QR, in your browser
Build two kinds of PayPal payment URLs from one form. PayPal.Me for quick handle-based requests (recommended, future-safe), or Hosted Buy Now (cmd=_xclick) for fixed-item invoices that need an item name, invoice number or return URL — useful while it still works.
- PayPal.Me mode: handle + optional amount + currency.
- Hosted Buy Now mode: business email, item name, amount, currency, invoice, item number, return / cancel / IPN URLs.
- 23 PayPal-supported currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD and more).
- QR code with PNG and SVG download.
- Copy, open / test, WhatsApp share, email share.
- South African users: receive in USD / EUR / GBP — PayPal does not support ZAR for receiving.
About the two modes
PayPal.Me is the only PayPal URL format that is officially supported long-term, but it carries only handle + amount + currency. No item name. No invoice. No return URL.
Hosted Buy Now (cmd=_xclick) is officially deprecated. Existing links are scheduled to stop processing payments by January 2027. The tool still builds them — handy for short-term invoicing — but flags the sunset prominently. For anything you intend to use past early 2027, switch to PayPal.Me, PayPal Invoicing, or a hosted-checkout integration.
A free PayPal link tool — PayPal.Me or Hosted Buy Now, plus QR.
Switch between PayPal.Me (handle + amount + currency) and Hosted Buy Now / cmd=_xclick (business email, item name, amount, currency, invoice, return URLs). The tool builds the link, renders a QR code and gives you copy, open, WhatsApp and email share actions. No accounts. No tracking. No backend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this tool generate?
Two PayPal payment URL formats, each with a scannable QR code. PayPal.Me builds links like paypal.me/yourhandle/AMOUNTCURRENCY (e.g. paypal.me/anton/25USD). Hosted Buy Now builds links like paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=…&amount=…¤cy_code=…&item_name=… with optional invoice number, item number, return URL, cancel URL and IPN endpoint.
Which mode should I use?
Use PayPal.Me by default — it is the only PayPal URL format that is officially supported long-term. Use Hosted Buy Now (_xclick) only when you specifically need the extra fields it carries: a fixed item name on the PayPal page, an invoice number, or post-payment return URLs. Be aware _xclick is on a sunset path (see below).
What fields can the Hosted Buy Now mode include?
business (the receiving PayPal account email), item_name, amount, currency_code, invoice, item_number, return URL (where PayPal sends the payer after payment), cancel_return, notify_url (for IPN), no_shipping and no_note flags. cmd=_xclick is always set.
What about the older _xclick or "Buy Now" PayPal links?
PayPal Payments Standard (the cmd=_xclick URL format) is officially deprecated. PayPal documentation states it should not be used for new integrations, support has been winding down through 2025–2026, and existing _xclick integrations are scheduled to stop processing payments by January 2027. The tool still supports building these links — useful for short-term invoicing today — but flags the sunset prominently. For anything you intend to use beyond early 2027, use PayPal.Me, PayPal Invoicing, or a hosted-checkout integration instead.
Do I need a PayPal Business account?
No. PayPal.Me works for personal and business PayPal accounts. You set up your handle once at paypal.me, then anyone can pay you at that link.
How do I set up a PayPal.Me handle?
Open paypal.me in any browser while logged into your PayPal account, pick a unique handle (letters and numbers, up to 20 characters) and confirm. Once you have it, paste the URL or just the handle into this tool.
Can the payer change the amount?
Yes. PayPal.Me always lets the payer adjust the amount before confirming. If you leave the amount blank in this tool, the payer chooses the full amount themselves on the PayPal page.
Where is my data stored?
Your PayPal.Me handle, currency choice, business email and return URLs are remembered in this browser using localStorage so the form pre-fills next visit. Nothing is uploaded. Clear your browser data and the saved values are gone. Per-payment fields (amount, item name, invoice) are intentionally not persisted.
What does the QR code do?
The QR code encodes whichever PayPal link the tool is currently showing — PayPal.Me or Hosted Buy Now. A customer can scan it with their phone camera to open the PayPal payment page. Download as PNG for printed material (invoices, signs, receipts) or as SVG for scalable use.
Will the link work on mobile?
Yes. PayPal.Me opens in mobile browsers and inside the PayPal app if installed. Use the Open / test link button to confirm before sharing.
Does this replace a proper invoice?
No. PayPal.Me is for quick payment requests. For VAT invoices, partial payments, or invoice-level reconciliation use PayPal Invoicing or a custom billing system.
Can South African users receive payments in ZAR?
No. PayPal does not support ZAR (South African Rand) for receiving payments — only for paying out from your PayPal balance. South African users receive in USD, EUR or GBP and convert via FNB or another linked account. The currency picker in this tool reflects this and omits ZAR.
Are there fees?
The tool is free. PayPal still applies its standard transaction fees on the payment itself. Check current PayPal fees for your country before sharing the link.
Can Anton build a custom payment workflow?
Yes. Anton builds custom billing, payment-link, recurring billing, reconciliation and checkout workflows — including PayPal Invoicing, Stripe, and South African gateways like Yoco, Payfast and Ozow.
Need something like this for your business?
Disclaimer: This tool is a link-building aid, not financial, tax, legal, accounting or payment-provider advice. PayPal terms, currency support and fees can change. PayPal.Me is a public PayPal product not affiliated with antondevilliers.com.