Currency Converter

Convert between 35+ major currencies using static reference exchange rates. No live FX feed. Calculations run in your browser.

Free to use. Runs in your browser.

Enter an amount and select two currencies to see the conversion using our static reference exchange rate. The calculator covers 35+ major currencies including GBP, USD, EUR, CAD, AUD, INR, and JPY. Rates are static, not live.

Amount

Converted Amount

0.92

1 USD = 0.9200 EUR

Static reference rates only. No live FX feed.

Rates are embedded in the page and may be stale. They do not include bank, card, broker, exchange-bureau, weekend, or foreign-transaction fees. Check your provider or a current FX source before making financial decisions. Embedded static rates are used for estimation only.

How Currency Exchange Rates Work

Exchange rates tell you how much of one currency you get for another. When you see "1 GBP = 1.27 USD", it means one British pound buys 1.27 US dollars. Think of it like a price tag, currencies are bought and sold just like anything else, and the price moves based on supply and demand.

The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buy and sell prices. You may see mid-market rates on search engines, financial sites, or specialist FX tools. This calculator uses embedded static reference rates for estimation only, so the rate shown here may differ from a live mid-market rate.

Rates move constantly, 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. The foreign exchange market (forex) trades over $7.5 trillion daily, making it the largest financial market in the world. Major events like interest rate decisions, elections, and economic data releases can move rates by 1-3% in minutes.

This converter uses reference rates for quick comparisons and planning. For actual transactions, always check your bank or card provider's live rate and fees, the mid-market rate tells you what it should cost, so you can spot if you're being overcharged.

Major Currency Pairs and What Moves Them

Currency Pair	Common Name	Key Drivers
GBP/USD	"Cable"	Bank of England rate, UK GDP, trade balance, political stability
EUR/USD	"Fibre"	ECB policy, Eurozone growth, US Federal Reserve decisions
GBP/EUR	(none)	UK-EU trade relationship, interest rate differential between BoE and ECB
USD/JPY	"Gopher"	Bank of Japan policy, US Treasury yields, risk sentiment
AUD/USD	"Aussie"	Iron ore prices, China trade data, RBA interest rate
USD/CHF	"Swissie"	Safe-haven demand, SNB policy, global risk appetite
USD/CAD	"Loonie"	Oil prices, US-Canada trade, Bank of Canada rate
NZD/USD	"Kiwi"	Dairy prices, RBNZ policy, Australian dollar correlation

What this means for you: If you're planning a holiday to the US, watch the GBP/USD rate. A move from 1.25 to 1.30 saves you £40 on every £1,000 converted. Setting a rate alert on your banking app costs nothing and can save you hundreds on large conversions.

World Currencies Reference

The calculator above supports 35+ major currencies. The reference table below covers 30 of the most traded and most travelled-to currencies in detail. Search by currency code, name, or region to find what you need.

Code	Symbol	Currency Name	Subunit	Notes
GBP	£	British Pound Sterling	Penny (100p)	World's oldest currency still in use. 4th most traded globally
USD	$	US Dollar	Cent (100¢)	World's primary reserve currency. ~88% of forex trades involve USD
EUR	€	Euro	Cent (100c)	Used by 20 EU countries. 2nd most traded currency
JPY	¥	Japanese Yen	No subunit (coins: 1¥)	No decimal places. Safe-haven currency, rises during global uncertainty
CHF	Fr.	Swiss Franc	Rappen (100Rp)	Safe-haven currency. Swiss National Bank actively manages its value
AUD	A$	Australian Dollar	Cent (100c)	Commodity currency, moves with iron ore and coal prices
CAD	C$	Canadian Dollar	Cent (100c)	Commodity currency, closely tied to oil prices
NZD	NZ$	New Zealand Dollar	Cent (100c)	Often trades in tandem with AUD. Known as 'Kiwi'
CNY	¥	Chinese Yuan Renminbi	Fen (100f)	Managed float, PBOC sets daily reference rate with 2% band
INR	₹	Indian Rupee	Paisa (100p)	Restricted currency, can't be freely traded outside India
SGD	S$	Singapore Dollar	Cent (100c)	Managed by MAS against a trade-weighted basket, not interest rates
HKD	HK$	Hong Kong Dollar	Cent (100c)	Pegged to USD at 7.75-7.85 range since 1983
KRW	₩	South Korean Won	No subunit in practice	No decimal places. Strong tech sector correlation
THB	฿	Thai Baht	Satang (100s)	Popular tourist destination, most UK bureaus stock THB
MYR	RM	Malaysian Ringgit	Sen (100s)	Commodity-linked. Not freely convertible outside Malaysia
AED	د.إ	UAE Dirham	Fils (100f)	Pegged to USD at 3.6725 since 1997. Very stable
SAR	﷼	Saudi Riyal	Halala (100h)	Pegged to USD at 3.75. Oil revenue dependent
TRY	₺	Turkish Lira	Kuruş (100k)	High volatility. Check rates immediately before transactions
ZAR	R	South African Rand	Cent (100c)	Commodity currency, gold and platinum prices are key drivers
BRL	R$	Brazilian Real	Centavo (100c)	Commodity-linked. High interest rates attract carry traders
MXN	Mex$	Mexican Peso	Centavo (100c)	Most traded emerging market currency. US trade policy sensitive
SEK	kr	Swedish Krona	Öre (100ö)	Sweden moving toward cashless society, card payments everywhere
NOK	kr	Norwegian Krone	Øre (100ø)	Oil-linked. Sovereign wealth fund (world's largest) stabilises value
DKK	kr	Danish Krone	Øre (100ø)	Pegged to EUR via ERM II. Very stable against euro
PLN	zł	Polish Złoty	Grosz (100g)	EU member but not in eurozone. Growing economy, strengthening trend
CZK	Kč	Czech Koruna	Haléř (100h)	Prague is a popular UK tourist destination. Cards widely accepted
HUF	Ft	Hungarian Forint	No subunit in practice	High nominal amounts, expect thousands for small purchases
EGP	E£	Egyptian Pound	Piastre (100pt)	Floated in 2022-2024. Check rates before travel, can move fast
PKR	₨	Pakistani Rupee	Paisa (100p)	Restricted currency. Significant UK diaspora remittance corridor
NGN	₦	Nigerian Naira	Kobo (100k)	Multiple exchange rates exist. Official rate differs from parallel market

Showing 30 of 30 currencies.

Travel Money Guide by Country

Planning a trip? Search for your destination to find typical costs, tipping customs, and the best way to pay. These prices are mid-range estimates, budget travellers will spend less, luxury travellers more.

Country	Currency	Avg Meal	Tipping	Best Method	Tip
United States	USD	$15-25	15-20% expected	Fee-free card (Monzo/Starling)	Tipping is mandatory, not optional. Budget 15-20% on top of all restaurant bills
France	EUR	€15-25	Service included	Fee-free card	Service compris is included in the bill. Rounding up is polite but not expected
Spain	EUR	€10-18	Round up	Fee-free card	Lunch menus (menú del día) are great value at €10-15 for 3 courses
Italy	EUR	€12-22	Coperto included	Fee-free card + some cash	Coperto (cover charge €1-3) is normal and legal. Not a tip, it's a table charge
Germany	EUR	€10-18	5-10% common	Cash + card	Germany is surprisingly cash-heavy. Many restaurants don't take cards. Bring euros
Portugal	EUR	€8-15	5-10% appreciated	Fee-free card	One of the best value eurozone destinations. Lisbon is pricier than the rest
Greece	EUR	€8-15	Round up	Fee-free card + cash for islands	Smaller islands may have limited card acceptance. Bring cash as backup
Turkey	TRY	₺150-300	5-10%	Fee-free card (avoid DCC)	Lira fluctuates fast, convert as you go, don't buy a large amount in advance
Thailand	THB	฿60-200	Not expected	ATM withdrawal + card	Thai ATMs charge ฿220 per withdrawal. Take out larger amounts less frequently
Japan	JPY	¥800-2000	Never tip	Cash (7-Eleven ATMs) + IC card	Japan is still very cash-based. 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards. Never tip, it's considered rude
Australia	AUD	A$18-30	Not expected	Fee-free card	Card payments accepted almost everywhere including market stalls
United Arab Emirates	AED	AED 30-60	10% at restaurants	Fee-free card	Alcohol is expensive and only in licensed venues. Budget accordingly for Dubai
Morocco	MAD	MAD 40-80	10% at restaurants	Cash (ATM) + card for hotels	MAD is a closed currency, buy in Morocco, not at UK bureaus. Negotiate in souks
Mexico	MXN	MXN 100-250	10-15%	Fee-free card + pesos cash	Some tourist areas accept USD but at bad rates. Pay in pesos for better value
India	INR	₹150-400	10% at upscale	ATM withdrawal on arrival	INR can't be bought outside India. Withdraw from ATMs on arrival. UPI is everywhere
Canada	CAD	C$15-25	15-20% expected	Fee-free card	Same tipping culture as the US, 15-20% at restaurants, expected not optional
Switzerland	CHF	CHF 25-45	Service included	Fee-free card	One of the most expensive countries in the world. Budget 50-100% more than eurozone
South Korea	KRW	₩8,000-15,000	Never tip	Card + T-money for transport	Cards accepted everywhere. Don't tip, it can cause confusion
Egypt	EGP	EGP 100-250	Baksheesh expected	Cash (USD or GBP to exchange)	Small tips (baksheesh) expected everywhere, at hotels, guides, toilets. Keep small notes handy
Poland	PLN	PLN 25-50	10% common	Fee-free card	Great value destination. Cards widely accepted in cities, cash for rural areas

Showing 20 of 20 destinations.

Getting the Best Exchange Rate

Method	Typical Markup	Speed	Best For
Wise transfer	0.3-0.6%	1-2 business days	International bank transfers, expat payments
Monzo / Starling abroad	0% (Mastercard rate)	Instant	Holiday spending up to monthly limit
Revolut (standard)	0% weekday / 1% weekend	Instant	Spending + transfers up to free limit
High street bank transfer	2-4%	3-5 business days	Convenience if you don't want a new account
Post Office / Travelex	3-5%	Same day (pickup)	Cash for countries where cards aren't common
Airport bureau de change	5-10%	Instant	Absolute last resort
Hotel exchange desk	4-8%	Instant	Emergency cash only

What this means for you: On £2,000 of holiday spending, the difference between a fee-free card (0%) and an airport bureau (7%) is £140. Get a Monzo or Starling card before your trip, they're free and take minutes to set up. For large international transfers (paying for a property, university fees), Wise typically saves 2-3% compared to a bank SWIFT transfer.

What Is Dynamic Currency Conversion?

When you pay by card abroad, the terminal sometimes asks: "Pay in GBP or local currency?" This is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). It sounds convenient, you see the amount in pounds on the screen. But the merchant (or their payment processor) sets the exchange rate, adding a 3-6% markup that's buried in the conversion.

Always decline DCC. Always pay in the local currency.

Your bank or card provider will convert at a better rate. Even a high-street bank with a 2% fee beats DCC. With Monzo, Starling, or Wise, you pay at the interbank rate, the best deal available.

DCC also appears at ATMs abroad. If the ATM offers to convert to GBP before dispensing cash, decline. Let your bank handle the conversion. The same applies to online shopping, if a foreign retailer offers to charge you in GBP, switch to their local currency for a better rate.

Worked Example: Planning a 10-Day Italy Holiday

The situation: Sarah and James are planning 10 days in Italy, 5 in Rome, 5 on the Amalfi Coast. They want to figure out how much they'll need in euros and the cheapest way to get them.

Step 1: Budget in local currency

Using the travel guide above, they estimate daily costs in EUR: accommodation (pre-paid), meals €70/day for two, transport €20/day, activities €30/day, misc €15/day = €135/day × 10 days = €1,350 spending money.

Step 2: Convert to check affordability

They use this converter: €1,350 at a reference GBP/EUR rate of about 0.86 = roughly £1,160. Plus 10% buffer for unexpected costs = £1,280 budget. Their live rate at the time of the trip may differ.

Step 3: Choose payment method

They already have Monzo cards (free, 0% foreign exchange fee). For cash backup, they'll withdraw €200 from an Italian ATM on arrival using Monzo (fee-free up to £250/month). The rest goes on card.

What they saved

If they'd exchanged £1,280 at an airport bureau (7% markup): £89.60 wasted. If they'd used their Halifax debit card abroad (2.99% fee + 1.5% ATM): £57.50 wasted. Using Monzo: £0 in fees. That's a free dinner for two in Rome.

Understanding Forex Spreads and Fees

When you exchange money, you're charged in two ways, and most providers only make one of them obvious.

The spread (hidden fee)

The difference between the mid-market rate and the rate you're actually offered. If GBP/EUR mid-market is 1.17 and your bank offers 1.14, the spread is 2.6%. This is the fee most people don't notice because it's baked into the rate.

The flat/percentage fee (visible fee)

A separate charge on top of the exchange. "£3.99 transfer fee" or "2.75% foreign transaction fee." These are easier to spot because they appear as a line item on your statement or the transaction screen.

How to compare: Calculate the total cost including both spread and fees. A "fee-free" service with a 3% spread costs more than a "£2.99 fee" service with a 0.5% spread on any amount over £150. Always compare the final amount you'll receive, not just the advertised fee.

Common Currency Conversion Tips

Always pay in local currency

When a card machine asks "pay in GBP or local currency?", always choose local currency. Paying in GBP triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion, a hidden 3-6% markup by the merchant's processor.

Don't exchange at the airport

Airport exchange rates are consistently the worst available anywhere. Order currency online in advance (slightly better), withdraw from an ATM abroad (much better), or use a fee-free card (best).

Set rate alerts

Apps like Wise and XE send alerts when a rate hits your target. If you're planning a big exchange (property purchase, university fees, relocation), timing over a few weeks can save hundreds.

Benchmark against mid-market

Google "GBP to EUR" to see today's mid-market rate. Any rate you're offered should be within 1-2% of this. If the gap is bigger, you're overpaying, shop around.

Common Mistakes

Accepting DCC at card terminals

Choosing "pay in GBP" abroad feels familiar but costs 3-6% extra. The merchant's processor sets a terrible rate. Always pay in the local currency and let your bank convert.

Buying exotic currencies at home

UK bureaus charge enormous markups on currencies like Thai Baht, Indian Rupee, or Moroccan Dirham. You'll get a far better rate withdrawing from ATMs at your destination.

Ignoring weekend rates

Some providers (including Revolut's free tier) add a 1% surcharge on weekend conversions because forex markets are closed and they can't hedge. Convert before Friday evening.

Converting large amounts at once

Exchanging your entire holiday budget in one go means you get one rate, which might be bad. For large sums, consider splitting into 2-3 conversions to average out rate movements.

Forgetting ATM fees abroad

Even with a fee-free UK card, some foreign ATMs charge their own fee (Thailand: ฿220, US: $2-5, Spain: €1.50-3). Check the screen for charges before confirming the withdrawal.

Not notifying your bank

Some banks still block transactions from unexpected countries. While Monzo and Revolut don't need travel notifications, traditional banks like NatWest and Barclays might freeze your card if you don't tell them you're going abroad.

Limitations of This Calculator

Static reference rates. The rates are embedded in the page and may be stale. There is no live FX feed.
Bank and card spreads excluded. Banks, card providers, brokers, and money-transfer services typically add a spread or markup of 0.3% to 4% on top of the mid-market rate.
Provider fees excluded. Foreign-transaction fees, ATM withdrawal fees, transfer fees, and currency-conversion fees are not modelled here.
Weekend and holiday surcharges excluded. Some providers add a weekend surcharge (commonly around 1%) when forex markets are closed.
Airport, hotel, and bureau markups excluded. Airport bureaux can charge 5% to 10% above the mid-market rate. Hotel desks can charge 4% to 8%.
Not for trading or hedging. Do not use this calculator for FX trading, currency speculation, accounting, tax filings, or other regulated financial decisions. Use a regulated provider with a live rate feed for those.

Rate Model and Where to Check Live Rates

The exchange rates inside this converter are embedded static reference rates used for estimation only. They are not pulled from a live API and may be stale. The calculator runs entirely in your browser and does not call any FX service.

Before making any financial decision, check a current source for the rate that matters to you. Useful places to look:

European Central Bank reference rates for daily euro reference rates against major currencies.
Bank of England for sterling spot exchange rates.
Your bank or card provider's app for the rate you will actually receive on your card or transfer, including their spread.
Mastercard or Visa currency converters for the wholesale rate your card scheme will apply to international card transactions.
Money-transfer providers such as Wise or Revolut for the live rate plus any provider fee they will apply.
Google or any major financial news site for the mid-market rate at the moment you check.

Related Tools

Travel Budget Calculator

Plan your full trip budget with daily cost estimates

Tip Calculator

Calculate tips in any currency with local customs

Expense Split Calculator

Split group costs evenly between travellers

Inflation Calculator

See how purchasing power changes over time

Percentage Calculator

Quick percentage and markup calculations

Salary Calculator

Convert salary between time periods and currencies

How to use this tool

Enter the amount you want to convert

Select the source and target currencies

View the converted amount using our static reference exchange rate

Common uses

Converting prices while shopping internationally
Calculating travel budgets in foreign currencies
Comparing freelance rates across countries
Verifying invoice amounts in different currencies
Checking exchange rates before transferring money abroad

Share this tool

Frequently Asked Questions

How current are these exchange rates?

These are static reference rates embedded in the page for estimation and comparison. They are not live and may be stale. For actual transactions, check your bank or money transfer provider's live rate, which will include their spread or markup.

What is the mid-market rate?

The midpoint between buy and sell prices on the foreign exchange market. It's the fairest rate, the one you see on Google. Banks and exchanges add a markup (spread) on top, which is their profit.

Why is the airport exchange rate so bad?

Airport bureaux have high rent and a captive audience. Their markup is typically 5-10% above the mid-market rate. That's £50-100 lost on every £1,000 exchanged. Always avoid airport exchanges if possible.

What's the cheapest way to exchange currency?

Use a fee-free card like Starling, Monzo, or Revolut, which gives you the Mastercard/Visa wholesale rate with zero markup. For bank transfers, Wise typically charges 0.3-0.7%, far less than high street banks.

Should I pay in local currency or pounds when abroad?

Always local currency. When a card machine offers to charge in GBP (Dynamic Currency Conversion), the merchant applies a 3-6% markup. Choosing local currency lets your bank handle the conversion at a much better rate.

How much do banks charge for foreign exchange?

UK high street banks typically add 2-4% markup on the mid-market rate for card payments abroad. Wire transfers can have even higher margins plus flat fees of £10-25. Fee-free fintechs (Wise, Monzo) are significantly cheaper.

Do exchange rates change daily?

Yes, major currency pairs fluctuate constantly during trading hours (24/5). Rates can move 0.5-2% in a single day. For travel money, small daily movements don't matter much; for large transfers, timing can save hundreds.

What affects exchange rates?

Interest rates (set by central banks), inflation, GDP growth, political stability, and trade balances. When the Bank of England raises rates, GBP typically strengthens because investors get better returns holding pounds.

How many currencies does this converter support?

The calculator covers 35+ major currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD, AUD, CHF, plus emerging market currencies like INR, BRL, ZAR, and TRY. The reference table further down the page covers 30 of those in detail.

Can I set a rate alert?

This calculator doesn't offer alerts, but apps like Wise, XE, and Revolut let you set target rates and notify you when they're hit. Useful if you're planning a large transfer and want to wait for a favourable rate.

What is currency hedging?

Locking in today's exchange rate for a future transaction. If you're buying a property abroad or paying overseas invoices, a forward contract protects you from rate movements. Mainly used for large sums (£10,000+).

Why do some currencies have very large numbers?

Currencies like JPY, KRW, and IDR have high denominator values because of historical inflation and monetary policy. 1 GBP = ~190 JPY doesn't mean yen is 'weaker', it's just denominated differently.

Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.