Currency Converter — Live Exchange Rates for 160+ Currencies
Our free currency converter uses live exchange rates updated regularly throughout the day. Convert between any two of 160+ world currencies, see a full list of major currency conversions at a glance, and save your favorite currency pairs for quick access. Rates are automatically cached to keep the tool fast and responsive.
Exchange rates shown are mid-market rates for informational purposes. Actual transaction rates from banks and currency exchanges will differ. Not financial advice.
Major World Currencies
| Currency | Code | Symbol | Country/Region | Approx. USD Rate (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dollar | USD | $ | United States | 1.00 |
| Euro | EUR | € | Eurozone | ~0.92 |
| British Pound | GBP | £ | United Kingdom | ~0.79 |
| Japanese Yen | JPY | ¥ | Japan | ~149 |
| Swiss Franc | CHF | Fr | Switzerland | ~0.90 |
| Canadian Dollar | CAD | C$ | Canada | ~1.36 |
| Australian Dollar | AUD | A$ | Australia | ~1.53 |
| Chinese Yuan | CNY | ¥ | China | ~7.24 |
| Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | HK$ | Hong Kong | ~7.82 |
| Singapore Dollar | SGD | S$ | Singapore | ~1.34 |
| Indian Rupee | INR | ₹ | India | ~83 |
| South Korean Won | KRW | ₩ | South Korea | ~1,330 |
| Brazilian Real | BRL | R$ | Brazil | ~4.97 |
| Mexican Peso | MXN | MX$ | Mexico | ~17.2 |
Note: Rates are approximate — use the converter above for current rates.
How Exchange Rates Work
An exchange rate is the price of one currency expressed in terms of another. Exchange rates fluctuate continuously based on supply and demand in the global foreign exchange (forex) market — the largest financial market in the world, with over $7 trillion in daily trading volume.
Mid-Market Rate vs Bank Rate
The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate or spot rate) is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices in the wholesale forex market. This is the "true" exchange rate that you see on financial data services. Banks, money exchange bureaus, and online services all add a markup above this rate — typically 1-5% for banks and 3-10% for airport kiosks.
| Exchange Method | Typical Markup | Example (1000 USD to EUR at mid-market 0.92) |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-market rate | 0% | 920 EUR |
| Online service (Wise) | ~0.5% | 915 EUR |
| Major bank | ~2-3% | 898-911 EUR |
| Airport kiosk | ~5-10% | 828-874 EUR |
| Credit card abroad | ~1-3% | 893-911 EUR (+ fees) |
Factors That Affect Exchange Rates
| Factor | How It Affects Rate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rates | Higher rates attract foreign capital, strengthening the currency | Fed rate hike → USD strengthens |
| Inflation | Higher inflation weakens purchasing power, depreciating the currency | High inflation → currency weakens |
| Trade balance | Trade surplus (more exports) strengthens; deficit weakens | Germany's surplus supports EUR |
| Political stability | Uncertainty causes capital flight, weakening the currency | Brexit uncertainty → GBP fell |
| Market speculation | Traders' expectations move rates ahead of economic events | Pre-election currency moves |
| GDP growth | Stronger economy attracts investment, supporting the currency | Strong US growth → USD demand |
Tips for Getting the Best Exchange Rate
- Avoid airport currency exchanges — Airport kiosks charge the highest markups (5-15%) due to captive audience. Exchange money before travel or use your debit card at local ATMs.
- Use a specialist service for large transfers — Services like Wise, OFX, or Remitly offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate than banks, with lower fees. On a $10,000 transfer, this can save $200-500.
- Use local currency abroad— When your card offers "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (paying in your home currency abroad), always decline — the rate is typically 3-7% worse than paying in local currency.
- Monitor rates before exchanging — Currency rates can swing 5-10% over a few weeks. If your travel is months away, monitoring rates can help you exchange at a better time.
- Check total cost, not just rate — Some services advertise great rates but add high fixed fees. On small amounts, the fee matters more than the rate.
Understanding Currency Codes (ISO 4217)
Currency codes are standardized by ISO 4217. Each code is three letters: the first two usually represent the country and the third represents the currency name. For example:
| Code | Country | Currency | Code Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | United States | Dollar | US (country) + D (dollar) |
| GBP | United Kingdom | Pound Sterling | GB (Great Britain) + P (pound) |
| EUR | European Union | Euro | EU (Europe) + R (euro) |
| JPY | Japan | Yen | JP (Japan) + Y (yen) |
| CHF | Switzerland | Franc | CH (Confoederatio Helvetica) + F (franc) |
| AUD | Australia | Dollar | AU (Australia) + D (dollar) |
| CAD | Canada | Dollar | CA (Canada) + D (dollar) |
| CNY | China | Yuan | CN (China) + Y (yuan) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the strongest currency in the world?
The Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) consistently has the highest exchange rate against the US Dollar, with 1 KWD worth approximately $3.25 USD. The Bahraini Dinar (BHD) and Omani Rial (OMR) are also among the highest-valued currencies. Note that "strongest" in terms of exchange rate does not necessarily mean the most economically powerful — it largely reflects how each country has structured its monetary policy.
Why does the exchange rate change every day?
Currency exchange rates float freely (for most major currencies) based on supply and demand in the global forex market. Factors including economic data releases, central bank decisions, geopolitical events, and trading activity all cause rates to fluctuate continuously during trading hours Monday through Friday.
What is a fixed vs floating exchange rate?
A floating exchange rate is determined by market forces — the USD, EUR, GBP, and JPY all float. A fixed (or pegged) exchange rate is set and maintained by a government or central bank. The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the USD at approximately 7.75-7.85 HKD per USD. Pegs provide stability but require significant foreign currency reserves to maintain.
How do I calculate a cross exchange rate?
To find the exchange rate between two non-USD currencies, use USD as an intermediate. If 1 USD = 0.92 EUR and 1 USD = 149 JPY, then 1 EUR = (1/0.92) × 149 = 161.96 JPY. This calculator does this calculation automatically for any currency pair.
What is a pip in currency exchange?
A pip (percentage in point) is the smallest standard price movement in a currency pair — typically 0.0001 for most pairs (0.01 for JPY pairs). For EUR/USD at 1.0920, a move to 1.0921 is one pip. Pips are used by forex traders to measure price movements and calculate profit and loss.