Currency Converter

Convert between major world currencies instantly - USD, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY, and 20+ more.

Amount

From Currency

To Currency

Converted Amount

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Exchange Rate

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Quick Conversion Table

Amount	Converted

💱 What is Currency Conversion?

Currency conversion is the process of exchanging one country's money for another at a specific rate called the exchange rate. Exchange rates determine how much of currency B you receive for a given amount of currency A. For instance, if the USD to INR rate is 83.5, a US dollar converts to 83.5 Indian rupees.

Exchange rates are driven by a complex mix of economic forces. Central bank interest rates play the largest role - higher rates attract foreign capital seeking returns, increasing demand for that currency and pushing its value up. Inflation differentials matter too: a country with higher inflation will see its currency depreciate against lower-inflation economies over time. Trade balances, foreign direct investment flows, political stability, and market speculation all add further volatility.

There are two types of exchange rates: the spot rate (for immediate settlement, typically within two business days) and the forward rate (locked in today for settlement at a future date, used by businesses to hedge currency risk). What you see quoted on Google, XE.com, or in this calculator is the spot mid-market rate - the midpoint between what buyers pay and sellers receive.

The exchange rate you actually get from a bank, airport kiosk, or money transfer service will be worse than the mid-market rate. This difference - the spread - is how financial institutions profit from currency transactions. Banks typically add 2–5% to the mid-market rate. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) advertise near-mid-market rates with transparent fees, often making them significantly cheaper for international transfers and overseas payments.

This converter supports 20 major world currencies with approximate mid-market rates. Rates are periodically updated but are not real-time. For financial transactions, always confirm the rate directly with your bank, exchange bureau, or transfer service before proceeding.

📐 Currency Conversion Formula

Converted Amount = Amount × (Rate_To ÷ Rate_From)

Amount = The quantity of the source currency to convert

Rate_From = USD-base rate of the source currency (how many source units = 1 USD)

Rate_To = USD-base rate of the target currency (how many target units = 1 USD)

Cross Rate = Rate_To ÷ Rate_From (e.g. EUR to INR = 83.5 ÷ 0.92 = 90.76)

All conversions use the US Dollar as an intermediate base. Every currency has a rate expressing how many units equal one USD. To convert EUR to INR: convert EUR to USD first (divide by EUR rate), then convert USD to INR (multiply by INR rate). This two-step cross-rate calculation is what banks and currency systems use internally.

📖 How to Use This Calculator

Steps to Convert Currency

Enter the amount you want to convert in the Amount field.

Select the source currency from the From Currency dropdown - the currency you have.

Select the target currency from the To Currency dropdown - the currency you want.

Click Convert to see the converted amount, rate used, and a quick reference table for common amounts.

Use the Swap button (⇆) to instantly reverse the conversion direction.

💡 Example Calculations

Example 1 — USD to INR

Converting $500 to Indian Rupees

USD rate = 1.00 (base), INR rate = 83.5

Cross rate (USD to INR) = 83.5 ÷ 1.0 = 83.5

Converted = 500 × 83.5 = ₹41,750

$500 USD ≈ ₹41,750 INR at approx. rate of 83.5

Try this example →

Example 2 — EUR to JPY (Cross Rate)

Converting €1,000 to Japanese Yen

EUR rate = 0.92 (per USD), JPY rate = 149 (per USD)

EUR to USD = 1,000 ÷ 0.92 = $1,086.96 USD

USD to JPY = 1,086.96 × 149 = 161,956 JPY

€1,000 EUR ≈ ¥161,957 JPY at cross rate of ~161.96

Try this example →

What is the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate I get from my bank?+

The mid-market (interbank) rate is the midpoint between buy and sell rates used by banks to trade with each other. Retail customers typically get a rate 1-5% worse than the mid-market rate. Banks and currency bureaus add a spread (markup) as profit. Services like Wise typically charge 0.3-0.7% above mid-market, far better than most banks at 2-4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an exchange rate?+

An exchange rate is the price at which one currency can be exchanged for another. For example, if the USD/INR rate is 83.5, it means one US dollar buys 83.5 Indian rupees. Exchange rates fluctuate constantly due to factors including interest rate differentials between countries, inflation, trade balances, political stability, and market sentiment. The rates shown in this calculator are approximate mid-market rates for reference.

What is the mid-market rate?+

The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate or spot rate) is the midpoint between the buying and selling prices of a currency. It is the 'real' exchange rate you see on Google or XE.com. Banks and exchange services typically add a margin or spread on top of this rate - that margin is their profit. When a service advertises 'no fees', they often embed the fee in the exchange rate itself.

Why does the currency rate I get differ from what is shown online?+

The rate you receive from a bank, ATM, or money transfer service is typically worse than the mid-market rate by 0.5% to 5%, depending on the provider. Banks add a spread to profit from the transaction. Credit card companies charge a foreign transaction fee of 1–3%. ATMs may charge flat fees plus unfavourable rates. Services like Wise offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate with transparent, lower fees.

Which currencies are most traded in the world?+

The most traded currencies by volume, according to the BIS Triennial Survey, are: US Dollar (USD) at 88% of all trades, Euro (EUR) at 31%, Japanese Yen (JPY) at 17%, British Pound (GBP) at 13%, Chinese Renminbi (CNY) at 7%, Australian Dollar (AUD) at 7%, Canadian Dollar (CAD) at 6.5%, and Swiss Franc (CHF) at 5%. Note: percentages exceed 100% because each trade involves two currencies.

Are the exchange rates in this calculator live?+

This calculator fetches live exchange rates daily from the European Central Bank (ECB) via the Frankfurter open API. Rates are updated every business day and reflect the mid-market rate. For the most time-sensitive transactions, verify with your bank.s official rate sheet.

Why do banks offer a different exchange rate than the interbank rate?+

The interbank exchange rate (mid-market rate) is the wholesale rate at which banks trade with each other. Banks and money changers add a markup of 1-5% on top of this rate when selling currency to retail customers - this is their profit margin. That is why you always receive fewer units of foreign currency than the pure mid-market rate implies. When comparing currency conversion services, always calculate the effective rate (amount received divided by amount sent) rather than comparing fee schedules alone.

What is the best way to convert INR to USD for international travel?+

For international travel, forex cards loaded with the destination currency typically offer better rates than carrying cash or using debit/credit cards abroad. Credit card international transaction fees are 2-3.5% plus Forex markup. Forex cards from banks like HDFC, ICICI, or Thomas Cook lock in the rate at the time of loading. For large conversions (e.g. sending money abroad), compare wire transfer services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), which offer rates close to the mid-market rate.

Why does the exchange rate differ between banks and online converters?+

Online mid-market rates are the interbank rates - the rates banks use when trading with each other. Retail banks add a spread of 1-4% on top for profit. Money changers add even more. This converter shows mid-market rates; the actual rate you get from a bank will be slightly less favorable. For large amounts, compare multiple providers.

🔗 Related Calculators

📌 Quick Tips

💡Exchange rates change constantly - rates shown here are approximate mid-market rates. Always check with your bank or money transfer provider for the exact rate you will receive, which typically includes a spread.

💡When sending money abroad, compare services like Wise, Revolut, and Western Union - their effective rates often beat traditional banks by 2–5%.

💡If travelling, avoid exchanging at airport kiosks. They typically offer the worst rates. Use ATMs at your destination or pre-order foreign currency from your bank.