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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Yes. Square accepts American Express cards in the United States, including credit, debit, corporate, rewards, and prepaid cards. Square says Amex uses the same standard processing rate as other card brands for the same payment method; the fee depends on how the customer pays and the seller’s plan.
Does Square accept American Express?
Square’s accepted-cards page lists American Express, and its US pricing page includes Amex alongside Visa, Mastercard, and Discover at the same standard fees for a given payment type. That means merchants generally compare Square’s in-person, online, or manually entered rate—not a separate standard Amex rate. See Square’s accepted-card guidance and its US pricing page.
What Square lists for US processing fees
Square’s US pricing page displays these rates. Which rate applies depends on the payment channel and the seller’s plan; confirm the current rate in the Square account before estimating a particular business’s costs.
| Payment method | Rates displayed by Square |
|---|---|
| In-person tap, dip, or swipe | 2.6% + 15¢, 2.5% + 15¢, or 2.4% + 15¢ across the displayed plans |
| Online card payment | 3.3% + 30¢ or 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Manual entry or card on file | 3.5% + 15¢ |
These are the page-listed US rates, not a promise that every seller or transaction will be charged the same amount. Square’s fee guidance explains that processing fees can vary by payment type and plan: Learn about Square fees.
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- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
- No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
What you need to take Amex payments
In-person payments
To accept a customer’s chip, contactless, or magstripe card in person, the seller needs a compatible setup. Square lists its Reader for contactless and chip as one hardware option. Check Square’s accepted-cards guidance for setup details and supported card types.
Online and other no-hardware options
Square says sellers can use several payment methods without hardware, including invoices, payment links, virtual terminal, and Tap to Pay. The method available and its fee depend on the seller’s setup and plan; the US rate examples are listed above.
Rank #2
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Where Square card acceptance is available
Square lists card acceptance through its app in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, France, and Spain. The seller must process payments in the country where the Square account was activated. This country restriction is stated on Square’s accepted-cards page; availability and pricing should not be assumed to be identical across countries.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a separate Amex arrangement may apply
Square’s Payment Terms say a high-value American Express seller may be required to maintain a direct agreement with Amex and designate Square as its agent. Square says it will notify the seller if this requirement applies, so it is not a standard arrangement that should be assumed for every merchant. The terms state that they apply as of July 30, 2026: Square Payment Terms.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- With Square Handheld, you can accept payments, take tableside orders, or scan barcodes anywhere. With a slim design and comfortable grip, the POS is easy to carry in your palm or pocket. Square Handheld is designed to withstand water splashes and dust. Add an optional protective case for accidental drops. A long-lasting battery and offline payments let you keep selling.
- Slim, pocketable, and lightweight so you can accept payments wherever your customers are.
- Take tableside orders, bust lines, or use the built-in barcode scanner, all with one sleek device.
- A battery that can power through your shift and offline payments let you keep selling, even if your internet is down.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one simple rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
Rank #4
- Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
- Works in conjunction with most downloadable Square point-of-sale apps on your device. Customers can pay, tip and sign directly on your device. Track payments in cash, gift cards and more. Also lets you send receipts via e-mail or text message, makes it easy to apply discounts, keeps a data and sales history log and more.
- Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
- App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).
Rank #3
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
- Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
- Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
How to estimate your actual Amex cost
- Identify the payment method. Separate in-person tap, dip, or swipe from online, invoice, manual entry, or card-on-file payments.
- Check the plan-specific rate. Use the pricing shown for the seller’s Square plan rather than treating one displayed rate as universal.
- Check account and transaction details. Consider whether the card is international relative to the account’s country and whether Square has notified the seller of any direct Amex agreement requirement.
- Verify before quoting or budgeting. Confirm the applicable fee in the Square account, since the public US page’s listed prices do not establish every account’s final terms.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
