About the Currency Calculator
A currency calculator converts an amount between world currencies using an exchange rate. Exchange rates move constantly, and the rate you actually receive when converting money is rarely the one quoted in the news.
The formula
Converted = amount · (rate to base / rate to target)The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buy and sell prices — the rate you see quoted. Retail providers add a margin to it, which is how most of them make money.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter your Amount. The field starts at
1, which you can overwrite. - 2Enter your From Currency. The field starts at
USD, which you can overwrite. - 3Enter your To Currency. The field starts at
INR, which you can overwrite. - 4Read the result straight away — it recalculates as you type, so there is no button to press. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the page with your exact numbers filled in.
Worked example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | 1 |
| From Currency | USD |
| To Currency | INR |
Result
Calculating live rate...
Those are the values the page loads with, so you can reproduce this result yourself and then change one field at a time to see what drives the outcome.
Understanding your result
The gap between the mid-market rate and the rate you are offered is the real cost of conversion, and it is often larger than any stated fee. A provider advertising zero commission may build 3 to 5 percent into the rate, which on a large transfer far exceeds a flat fee from a provider using the mid-market rate.
Airport bureaux and hotel desks apply the widest margins, sometimes 10 percent or more, because they sell convenience to people with no alternative. Card payments in the local currency generally get close to the interbank rate, though dynamic currency conversion — being offered payment in your home currency — should always be declined, as it hands the conversion to the merchant at a poor rate.
Things worth knowing
- Always compare the offered rate against the mid-market rate to find the real cost.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion. Paying in the local currency is nearly always cheaper.
- Airport and hotel exchange desks carry the widest margins of any option.
- Specialist transfer services usually beat banks substantially on international payments.
- For large transfers, a small rate difference outweighs any fee. Compare total amount received.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mid-market exchange rate?+
The midpoint between the buy and sell prices in the global currency market — the rate quoted in financial media. It is the benchmark against which any offered rate should be compared.
Why is the rate I get worse than the one quoted?+
Because providers add a margin to the mid-market rate, typically 0.5 to 5 percent depending on the channel. That spread is usually the main cost, often exceeding any advertised fee.
What is dynamic currency conversion?+
Being offered payment in your home currency when abroad. It sounds convenient but hands the conversion to the merchant at a poor rate, typically costing 3 to 6 percent. Always choose the local currency.
Where should I exchange money?+
Specialist transfer services or a card with no foreign transaction fee generally give the best rates. Airport bureaux and hotels are the most expensive by a wide margin.