Currency Converter

About the Currency Converter

The currency converter lets you convert between 20 major world currencies instantly using indicative exchange rates, covering all the major pairs most relevant to travellers, expats, international shoppers, and businesses operating across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. Currency conversion seems simple but hides several layers of nuance that significantly affect the amount you actually receive when converting real money. The rate our calculator shows — and the rate shown by Google or XE.com — is the mid-market rate: the midpoint between the buy rate and sell rate at which currency actually trades on the interbank market. This is the fairest reference rate and the one used for academic and analytical purposes. It is not, however, the rate you will receive from most conversion channels. Banks typically add a spread of 3–5% on top of the mid-market rate — meaning if the mid-market USD/AUD rate is 1.58, a bank might offer you 1.52 to buy Australian dollars, pocketing the 4% difference as profit. Airport currency exchange kiosks are the most expensive option, often adding 8–12% above mid-market. ATM withdrawals abroad using your home bank card typically add 2–3% with a fixed transaction fee, making them cost-efficient for larger withdrawals but expensive for small amounts. Specialist currency transfer services — Wise (formerly TransferWise), Revolut, OFX, and similar providers — offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate, typically 0.5–1.5% above mid-market for major pairs, with no hidden fees. For international transfers above $1,000, the difference between using a bank and using Wise can easily exceed $50–100. Understanding the mid-market rate that our calculator shows gives you a meaningful benchmark: it tells you what the conversion should cost at zero margin, so you can immediately calculate what percentage any bank or service is adding above that rate. The common amounts table makes it easy to check multiple transaction sizes without re-entering values — simply click any row to select that amount. The quick pair selector covers the most frequently searched currency pairs between English-speaking countries, making the most common conversions one tap away. Exchange rates are indicative and reflect approximate rates at the time of last update — for time-sensitive financial transactions, always confirm the live rate with your conversion provider immediately before transacting.

How It Works

All currencies are stored as rates relative to USD (base currency = 1 USD). To convert: first convert from-currency to USD (divide by from-rate), then convert USD to to-currency (multiply by to-rate). Example: Convert 1,000 AUD to GBP. AUD rate vs USD = 1.578. GBP rate vs USD = 0.791. 1,000 AUD → USD: 1,000 / 1.578 = 633.7 USD. USD → GBP: 633.7 × 0.791 = 501.2 GBP. Rate (AUD/GBP direct) = 0.791 / 1.578 = 0.5012 (each AUD buys 0.5012 GBP). Inverse rate (GBP/AUD) = 1.578 / 0.791 = 1.995 (each GBP buys 1.995 AUD).

Tips & Best Practices

• ✓The mid-market rate shown here is the benchmark. Banks and exchange kiosks charge above this rate as their profit. Wise and similar services charge 0.5–1.5% above mid-market. Airport kiosks charge 8–12% above. The difference on a $5,000 conversion can exceed $400.
• ✓For international bank transfers, avoid using your regular bank if possible. Wise, OFX, and CurrencyFair consistently offer substantially better rates than the major banks for most currency pairs. Compare before every significant transfer.
• ✓ATM withdrawals abroad: use local currency, never the offered dynamic currency conversion (DCC) which converts at a very poor rate. Withdraw larger amounts to amortise fixed fees. Check whether your bank has international ATM partnerships before travelling.
• ✓Currency moves: major currency pairs (USD/GBP, USD/EUR, USD/AUD) can move 1–3% in a single day during volatile periods. For large transactions, consider timing or using forward contracts (available through OFX, Moneycorp) to lock in a rate.
• ✓Australian travellers note: the AUD is considered a commodity currency and weakens during periods of global risk aversion or falling commodity prices. The AUD/USD rate has ranged from 0.57 to 0.80 over the past decade — significant for large transactions.
• ✓Credit card foreign currency fees: most standard credit cards add a 2–3% foreign transaction fee on overseas purchases. Travel-specific credit cards (28 Degrees in AU, Chase Sapphire in US, Starling in UK) offer zero foreign transaction fees — worth having for regular international travel.
• ✓For large amounts (house purchase, business acquisition, significant investment): use a specialist currency broker who can offer competitive rates, hedging strategies, and dedicated account management. The difference between a specialist and your bank can be thousands of dollars on a $200,000+ transaction.
• ✓New Zealand dollar note: the NZD often moves in close correlation with the AUD but tends to be more volatile. NZD is one of the most actively traded smaller currencies due to New Zealand's relatively high interest rates attracting carry trade flows.

Who Uses This Calculator

Travellers planning a trip budget convert their home currency to the destination currency to understand how far their money will go and how much to withdraw or exchange. International online shoppers check the conversion to understand the true cost in their home currency before purchasing from overseas retailers. Expats and remote workers paid in foreign currencies calculate their effective local income. Importers and exporters converting invoice amounts for financial planning. International students calculating tuition and living costs in their home currency. People sending money to family abroad comparing amounts before choosing a transfer service. Property buyers comparing overseas property prices in their home currency.