PCI DSS Non-Compliance Fine Estimator

Quantify how fast PCI DSS non-compliance penalties can pile up. Enter monthly card transactions, average ticket value, and the per-transaction fine your acquirer or card brand quoted to see monthly exposure, fines as a share of card revenue, and cumulative liability across the remediation timeline. Use the months field to align with your gap closure project plan.

Number of card-present and card-not-present transactions processed each month.
Average revenue per transaction across the card volume.
Estimated penalty per transaction assessed by acquiring banks or brands while out of compliance.
Optional — defaults to 6 months when blank. Use your remediation timeline.

PCI DSS penalties vary by acquirer and card network. Confirm rates and enforcement timelines with your payment partners before budgeting.

Examples

  • Example 1 — 120,000 transactions, $45.00 average ticket, $10.00 fine, months blank ⇒ Monthly fine exposure: $1,200,000.00 | Monthly card volume at risk: $5,400,000.00 | Fine as share of monthly volume: 22.22% | 6-month cumulative exposure: $7,200,000.00
  • Example 2 — 18,000 transactions, $80.00 average ticket, $5.00 fine, 3 months ⇒ Monthly fine exposure: $90,000.00 | Monthly card volume at risk: $1,440,000.00 | Fine as share of monthly volume: 6.25% | 3-month cumulative exposure: $270,000.00

FAQ

Where do I find the fine per card amount?

Ask your acquiring bank or payment processor — they typically outline monthly non-compliance fees or per-transaction penalties in merchant agreements.

Does this include card brand assessments or breach costs?

No. Add brand assessments, chargeback losses, forensic audits, or breach response costs separately to capture worst-case exposure.

How should I model escalating fines?

Run multiple scenarios with higher fine rates or longer timelines to reflect escalating penalties if remediation drags beyond the initial grace period.

Can I compare this to cyber insurance limits?

Yes. Use the cumulative exposure output alongside your cyber or payment liability coverage to confirm whether limits cover compliance penalties.

Additional Information

  • Acquiring banks may escalate fines monthly while you remain out of compliance — this model keeps the fine rate constant for clarity.
  • Average ticket size helps put fines in context by showing how much gross card revenue is at stake if processing is paused.
  • Pair fine exposure with remediation budgets and potential forensic audit fees to size the true cost of delaying PCI certification.
  • If your processor quotes tiered penalties, rerun the calculator with each tier to map the breakpoints that increase liability.

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