Currency Converter
Convert between major world currencies using example exchange rates. Select your source and target currencies, enter an amount, and get an conversion.
How to use
Select the currency you want to convert from and to using the dropdown menus. Enter the amount you wish to convert and click the Convert button. You can also swap the two currencies with the swap button. These are example rates for educational purposes and may not reflect real-time market prices.
How It Works
Currency conversion uses exchange rates that represent the value of one currency relative to another. The base rate is typically expressed against the US Dollar. To convert between two non-USD currencies, the amount is first converted to USD, then to the target currency.
When this calculator helps
Whether you are planning international travel, shopping from overseas retailers, comparing job offers in different countries, or sending money abroad, knowing the exchange rate is useful. This converter helps travelers budget their trips, freelancers invoice international clients, and online shoppers compare prices across markets. It is also a valuable educational tool for students learning about global economics. While these are example rates for reference purposes, the calculator demonstrates how currency conversion works and helps you estimate costs before making financial decisions.
Examples
Example 1: European Vacation Budget
You have $3,000 USD for a trip to Europe. At an exchange rate of 1 USD = 0.92 EUR, you would receive approximately €2,760. After the bank's 2.5% markup, you actually get about €2,691, a $75 difference worth shopping around for a better rate.
Example 2: Freelancer Invoicing in GBP
A US-based designer invoices a UK client £2,500 for a project. At 1 GBP = 1.27 USD, this equals approximately $3,175. If the payment takes a week to process and the rate drops to 1.25, they receive $3,125 instead, a $50 loss from currency fluctuation.
Example 3: Online Shopping from Japan
A camera listed at ¥150,000 on a Japanese retailer's website. At 1 USD = 155 JPY, the price is approximately $968 USD. Adding international shipping ($50) and potential customs duties (2.5%), the landed cost is roughly $1,042, still potentially cheaper than buying domestically.
Things to watch
- •Always compare the rate you are offered against the mid-market rate, any difference is the provider's markup (profit).
- •Avoid exchanging money at airports or hotels, their rates are typically 5-10% worse than banks or online services.
- •When traveling, always choose to pay in the local currency rather than your home currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees of 3-5%.
- •For large transfers (over $1,000), specialized services like Wise or OFX often offer a lot better rates than traditional banks.
- •Exchange rates shown here are example rates for educational purposes and may not reflect current market prices, verify with your financial provider before transacting.
Sources and methodology
Last reviewed: Checked during calculator QA. We review formulas, default assumptions, and examples against public references when a formal source applies.
Method: This calculator uses the formula explained on this page. We also check example results by hand to catch obvious mistakes.
Found something off? Send a correction with the page URL, inputs, result, and expected result.
Common questions
- How are exchange rates determined?
- Exchange rates are set by supply and demand in the foreign exchange market. Factors include interest rates, inflation, economic performance, and political stability. Rates fluctuate constantly during trading hours.
- Why is the exchange rate I get different from the market rate?
- Banks and exchange services add a markup (spread) to the mid-market rate. This markup is their profit. Credit cards typically offer rates close to mid-market, while airport exchange kiosks often have the worst rates.
- What is the mid-market exchange rate?
- The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate) is the midpoint between buy and sell prices of two currencies on the global market. It is the fairest exchange rate available. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) offer rates close to mid-market, while traditional banks may mark up 2-4% above it.
- When is the best time to exchange currency?
- Exchange rates fluctuate constantly during market hours (Sunday 5 PM to Friday 5 PM EST). Rates tend to be most volatile around major economic announcements, central bank decisions, and geopolitical events. There is no guaranteed 'best' time, but monitoring rates for a few days before a large exchange can help you spot a favorable window.
- Should I exchange money before or during my trip?
- Generally, using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card abroad gives you the best rate. If you need cash, exchanging a small amount before your trip and withdrawing from ATMs at your destination is usually cheaper than airport or hotel exchanges, which can charge 5-10% above mid-market rates.