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Financial

Currency Converter

Enter the amount and the exchange rate to convert between any two currencies. Add a bank margin to see what you really receive.

How many units of the target currency per 1 unit of the source
Typical card margin is 1–3%
Any flat transfer fee
Start of loanEnd
Every payment is the same, but the interest share shrinks as the principal share grows.

Why you need to enter the rate yourself

Exchange rates move every second of every trading day, so no static page can show you a live figure that stays correct. This converter asks you for the rate so the maths is always right against whatever number you are looking at — a bank quote, an airport board, or a live rate from a finance site. Look up the current mid-market rate, type it in, and the conversion is exact.

The mid-market rate is not what you get

The rate quoted on financial news is the mid-market rate, the midpoint between buy and sell. It is the fairest reference, but almost nobody trades at it. Banks and card networks add a margin, typically 1% to 3%, and often a flat fee on top. Enter those in the fee fields to see what actually lands in your account rather than the theoretical figure.

Where the margin hides

A transfer advertised as "no fee" often makes its money entirely in the exchange rate, quoting you a rate several percent worse than mid-market. That is usually more expensive than a small explicit fee at a fair rate. To compare two providers, work out the effective rate each gives you — the amount received divided by the amount sent — and pick the higher one.

Cards abroad

When a foreign card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in the local currency. The "convenience" conversion, called dynamic currency conversion, almost always uses a poor rate. Your own card's network rate is normally better. When you are comparing a quoted rate against a fair one, the percentage calculator makes the margin easy to see.

Frequently asked questions

What exchange rate should I enter?

The current mid-market rate for your pair, which you can find on any finance site or by searching the two currency codes. Enter how many units of the target currency equal one unit of the source.

Why is the rate my bank gives me worse?

Banks and card issuers add a margin to the mid-market rate, usually 1% to 3%, and sometimes a flat fee. Put those into the fee fields to see the real amount you receive.

Should I pay in local currency or my home currency abroad?

Local currency, almost always. Choosing your home currency triggers dynamic currency conversion at a rate that is typically worse than your card's own.

Does this converter use live rates?

No, and deliberately so — rates change constantly. You enter the current rate, which keeps the result exact against whatever source you are using.