Currency Converter
Convert between world currencies with live exchange rates.
How Exchange Rates Work
Exchange rates represent how much one currency is worth in terms of another. They fluctuate constantly based on supply and demand in the foreign exchange (forex) market.
Example: 1,000 USD × 0.92 = 920 EUR
Rates are influenced by interest rates, inflation, political stability, economic performance, and market speculation.
Major World Currencies
The USD, EUR, JPY, and GBP are the four most traded currencies, making up over 75% of daily forex volume.
Tips for Currency Exchange
- Avoid airport exchanges: They typically offer 10-15% worse rates than banks or online services.
- Use local ATMs abroad: Often provides better rates than exchanging cash, but check for fees.
- Pay in local currency: When given the choice, always pay in local currency to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.
- Compare services: Banks, credit unions, and online services like Wise offer different rates and fees.
- Watch for hidden fees: A “no commission” sign often means the fee is built into a worse exchange rate.
Bid, Ask, and Mid-Market Rates
- Mid-market rate: The “real” exchange rate, midpoint between buy and sell rates. This is what you see on Google.
- Bid rate: What banks will pay you when you sell foreign currency.
- Ask rate: What banks charge you when you buy foreign currency.
- Spread: The difference between bid and ask is the bank’s profit margin, typically 1-3% for major currencies.
Important Notes
- Rates are indicative: This calculator uses reference rates. Actual rates from banks and exchange services will differ.
- Rates change constantly: Forex markets operate 24/5, so rates fluctuate by the second during market hours.
- Large transactions: For amounts over $10,000, consider using a forex broker for better rates.
- Transfer timing: International transfers can take 1-5 days, during which rates may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the currency conversion formula work?
Converted Amount = Original Amount × Exchange Rate. The exchange rate expresses how many units of the target currency equal one unit of the source currency. The calculator also shows the inverse rate (1 / rate) so you can quickly convert in either direction.
Which currencies does this converter support?
The calculator supports 15 currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CNY, KRW, CAD, AUD, CHF, HKD, SGD, INR, MXN, BRL, and NZD. If you need a rate for another currency pair, you can enter a custom rate to override the built-in rates.
Are the exchange rates live or static?
The rates shown are indicative reference rates and may not reflect real-time market prices. Banks, credit cards, and money transfer services charge a spread above the mid-market rate, so the amount you actually receive when exchanging money will differ. The calculator notes this limitation.
What is the inverse rate and how do I use it?
The inverse rate is 1 divided by the displayed exchange rate. If 1 USD = 1.09 EUR, the inverse rate is 1/1.09 ≈ 0.917, meaning 1 EUR = 0.917 USD. The calculator shows this automatically, so you can check both directions of a currency pair without re-entering inputs.
Can I use this calculator to estimate how much foreign cash to bring on a trip?
Yes — the quick reference table shows converted amounts at common quantities (100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 units). Keep in mind that airport kiosks and hotel desks often offer rates 5–10% worse than the mid-market rate. Using an ATM abroad or a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card typically yields better rates.