Currency Converter
Convert between 160+ world currencies with live, real-time exchange rates.
Currency conversion seems like it should be one number, but it is really three: the mid-market rate you see on financial sites, the rate your bank actually gives you, and the amount that finally lands in the other account after fees. This converter shows you the first one — live mid-market rates covering more than 160 currencies, refreshed from a public exchange-rate feed. That is the honest reference point, the rate at which banks trade with each other. Knowing it matters because every provider you deal with quotes you something worse, and the gap between the real rate and their rate is where the actual cost of your transfer hides, often more effectively than the fee they advertise on the front page.
How the converter works
Choose the currency you are converting from, the currency you are converting to, and the amount. The converter pulls current rates and calculates the result immediately, so you can swap directions or change amounts without waiting on a refresh. Rates come from live market data and update through the day. Note that this reflects the mid-market rate — the midpoint between what buyers bid and sellers ask — and not a rate any retail provider will hand you.
The formula
Converted amount = Amount × Rate(from → to)
Where rates are cross-calculated through a base currency:
Rate(EUR → JPY) = Rate(USD → JPY) ÷ Rate(USD → EUR)Currency rates are quoted as pairs, and most feeds publish everything against a single base such as USD. To convert EUR to JPY, the system divides one USD-based rate by the other. This is why obscure pairs like Thai baht to Chilean peso still work — they are computed through the base rather than quoted directly. It also explains why banks charge more on unusual pairs: they may perform two real conversions internally and take a margin on each.
What to know about exchange rates
- 1The mid-market rate is the real rate, and almost nobody gives it to you. Banks typically build in a 2–4% markup and call it "no fee." A £1,000 transfer at a 3% markup costs you £30 invisibly, which is far more than a £5 transparent fee would have.
- 2Always decline dynamic currency conversion. When a foreign card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, it applies its own rate with a markup of roughly 3–7%. Choosing the local currency lets your own card network convert instead, which is nearly always cheaper.
- 3Airport exchange counters have the worst rates you will encounter — spreads of 10% or more are routine, because they are selling convenience to people with no alternative. Withdrawing from a bank ATM on arrival typically beats them by a wide margin.
- 4Rates move constantly during market hours and freeze over weekends. If you are converting a large sum, a 1% swing on $50,000 is $500 — worth watching for a few days rather than executing the moment you think of it.
- 5For recurring international payments, compare the total landed amount rather than the advertised fee. Ask what the recipient actually receives. That single question exposes markup that fee comparisons completely miss.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the rate here different from what my bank gave me?
Because this shows the mid-market rate — the wholesale rate at which large institutions trade with each other — while your bank sells you currency at a retail markup. The difference is the bank's revenue on the transaction. A 2–4% spread is standard at high-street banks, and it is usually not itemized anywhere on your statement. Comparing your received amount against this rate tells you exactly what you were charged.
How often do these rates update?
The underlying feed refreshes through the day as markets move. For everyday purposes — checking a price, budgeting a trip, sanity-checking a quote — that is more than accurate enough. For live trading you would need a streaming feed with tick-level data, which is a different tool entirely. Currency markets also close over the weekend, so rates you see Saturday are Friday's closing values.
Should I exchange money before I travel or after I arrive?
Generally after, and usually from a bank ATM rather than a currency counter. Home-country exchange bureaus and airport kiosks both charge for convenience. A debit card with low foreign transaction fees, used at a bank-operated ATM, typically lands within about 1% of the mid-market rate. Carry a modest amount of local cash for the first hour and get the rest from an ATM.
What causes exchange rates to move?
Primarily interest rate differentials between countries, since capital flows toward higher yields. Beyond that: inflation, trade balances, political stability, and central bank intervention. Short-term moves are often driven by expectation rather than events — a currency can fall on a rate cut that everyone predicted, because the move was already priced in and traders sold the news.
Is the mid-market rate ever actually available to me?
Rarely at exactly mid-market, but some specialist transfer services get close, charging a small transparent fee on top of the true rate instead of hiding a margin inside it. That structure is almost always cheaper than a "fee-free" bank transfer with a built-in spread. The test is simple: ask what rate they are using and compare it against the mid-market rate shown here.