Currency converter
Convert between 15 world currencies using live exchange rates, or enter your own rate.
Converted amount
Loading live exchange rates.
Converted amount
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- Exchange rate
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- Inverse rate
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Quick reference
Common amounts at the same rate.
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Popular exchange rates
Other major currencies, from your selected currency.
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How it works
A currency converter calculates how much one currency is worth in another by multiplying the amount by the exchange rate. This calculator supports 15 major currencies with live rates and an optional custom rate.
- Enter an amount
Pick the currency you are converting from.
- Pick the target currency
Use the swap button to flip the two currencies.
- Read the conversion
The live rate updates once a day. Override it any time with your own rate.
How exchange rates work
Exchange rates represent how much one currency is worth in terms of another. They move constantly with supply and demand in the foreign exchange market, influenced by interest rates, inflation, political stability, and economic data.
Converted amount = original amount × exchange rate
For example, 1,000 USD at a rate of 0.92 converts to 920 EUR. The inverse rate, 1 divided by the rate, converts back the other way: 920 EUR at a rate of 1.0870 converts to about 1,000 USD.
Bid, ask and mid-market rates
- Mid-market rate: the reference rate midway between buy and sell prices. This is the rate shown by this calculator and by a plain web search.
- Bid rate: what a bank pays you when you sell it foreign currency.
- Ask rate: what a bank charges you when you buy foreign currency from it.
- Spread: the gap between bid and ask, typically 1 to 3% for major currencies, which is the bank's margin.
Getting a better rate
- Avoid airport exchanges: they typically offer 5 to 15% worse rates than banks or online services.
- Use a local ATM abroad: often better than exchanging cash, though check for foreign transaction fees first.
- Pay in local currency: when given the choice at a card terminal, always choose the local currency to avoid a worse built-in conversion rate.
- Compare services: banks, card issuers and transfer services quote different rates and fees for the same pair.
Before you rely on the rate
The live rate is a reference mid-market rate, not what a bank or card will actually give you. Rates change by the second during market hours, and international transfers can take one to five days, during which the rate may move. For amounts over $10,000, a dedicated foreign exchange broker usually beats a bank's retail rate.
Frequently asked questions
How does the currency conversion formula work?
Converted amount equals the original amount times the 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 divided by the rate, so you can 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 pair it does not list, enter a custom rate to override the built-in rates.
Are the exchange rates live or static?
The calculator fetches live reference rates once a day and caches them in your browser. If the live fetch fails, it falls back to a stored reference table and says so. Either way, these are indicative mid-market rates. Banks, cards and transfer services add a spread, so the amount you actually receive when exchanging money will differ.
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 equals 1.09 EUR, the inverse rate is about 0.917, meaning 1 EUR equals about 0.917 USD. The calculator shows this automatically, so you can check both directions of a pair without re-entering inputs.
Can I use this calculator to plan cash for a trip?
Yes. The quick reference table shows converted amounts at common quantities from 1 to 1,000 units. Keep in mind that airport kiosks and hotel desks often offer rates 5 to 10% worse than the mid-market rate shown here. An ATM abroad or a no-foreign-transaction-fee card typically gives a better rate.