Currency Converter
Convert between major world currencies using standard exchange rates.
Results update as you type.
This calculator is for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates, fees and terms vary by lender. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making borrowing decisions.
How it works
A currency converter expresses the value of one country's money in another country's monetary unit, using the current exchange rate between the two currencies. Exchange rates reflect supply and demand in the foreign exchange (forex) market, the world's largest and most liquid financial market with over $7 trillion traded daily. Rates fluctuate continuously during market hours based on interest rate differentials between central banks, inflation expectations, trade balances, political stability, and speculative flows. The rate shown in this currency converter is an approximate mid-market rate — the midpoint between the buying and selling rates dealers quote. When you exchange currency at a bank, airport kiosk, or through a payment app, you will receive a rate worse than the mid-market by a spread (the dealer's margin). That spread ranges from 0.5–1% at competitive online services to 5–8% at airport kiosks. For large conversions, this difference is significant: converting $10,000 at a 3% spread versus 0.5% costs an extra $250. Understanding exchange rates matters for international travel, cross-border shopping, remittances, and international investing. When sending money abroad, compare services like Wise, Revolut, and PayPal using the mid-market rate as your benchmark.
Converted = Amount × Exchange Rate (USD-based cross rate)
The engine uses a fixed reference rate table pegged to USD. To convert any pair, the amount is first converted to USD (amount ÷ from-currency rate), then to the target currency (× to-currency rate). This gives the cross rate between any two currencies in the table. Note: these are approximate mid-market rates for educational purposes; live rates fluctuate and banks/services charge a spread on top.
Source:Mid-market exchange rate convention
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter amount, from currency and to currency.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Converted amount updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate or spot rate) is the midpoint between the buying and selling prices in the wholesale foreign exchange market. It is the 'true' rate at which large banks trade currencies with each other. Consumer services mark up this rate to earn their margin — the spread. Google, XE.com, and this calculator show mid-market rates. When a service advertises 'no fee' but offers a worse exchange rate, the fee is hidden in the spread. Always compare total cost using the mid-market rate as a benchmark.
Why do exchange rates change?
Exchange rates fluctuate based on supply and demand in global forex markets, driven by: interest rate decisions from central banks (higher rates attract foreign investment, strengthening the currency), inflation differentials (higher inflation erodes purchasing power and weakens a currency), trade balances (countries that export more than they import create demand for their currency), political stability and investor confidence, and speculative positioning by large traders and hedge funds. Major economic data releases — employment reports, inflation figures, GDP — often cause sharp rate movements.
Where is the best place to exchange currency?
For the best exchange rates, avoid airport kiosks and hotel desks (worst rates, 5–8% spread). Better options include: using your debit card at a local ATM in your destination country (typically 1–3% spread), services like Wise or Revolut for online transfers and travel cards (0.5–1% spread), or your bank if it offers competitive international rates. In the destination country, local banks and post offices often offer better rates than tourist-area exchange bureaus. Never exchange currency in airports or tourist areas unless absolutely necessary.
What does it mean when a currency is 'strong' or 'weak'?
A strong currency buys more foreign goods and services — beneficial for importers, travelers, and those with foreign debt denominated in another currency, but harmful for exporters who earn in foreign currency that converts to less at home. A weak currency makes exports cheaper and more competitive internationally but increases the cost of imports and can contribute to inflation. Central banks sometimes intervene in currency markets or adjust interest rates to influence their exchange rate, as a falling currency can fuel inflation and damage financial stability.
How do exchange rates affect international investing?
Currency fluctuations add a layer of return risk to international investments. If you invest in European stocks and the euro strengthens against the dollar, your returns are amplified when converted back to USD — and reduced if the euro weakens. Over long periods, currency effects tend to average out, but over shorter horizons they can dominate investment returns. Currency-hedged ETFs eliminate this risk by using derivatives to lock in exchange rates, though hedging costs money (usually 0.3–1% annually). Most long-term investors in diversified global funds accept currency exposure as part of international diversification.