Currency Exchange Calculator
Calculate exactly how much you receive after exchange fees and markups. Compare real costs of different money transfer providers.
Currency Exchange Calculator
Convert currencies and analyze exchange rates with fee calculations
Currency Conversion
Amount to convert
Exchange Rate & Fees
Current exchange rate
Typical bank exchange rate for comparison
Understanding Exchange Rate Fees
Traditional Banks
Cost: 2-5% markup + fees
Best for: Safety for very large domestic wire transfers
Avoid for: Routine international transfers
Wise / Revolut
Cost: 0.35-1.5% + small fixed fee
Best for: Best rates for most international transfers
Avoid for: Very small amounts where fixed fee dominates
PayPal International
Cost: 2.5-4% markup + fees
Best for: Convenience when recipient already uses PayPal
Avoid for: Cost-sensitive transfers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buy and sell rates on global currency markets. It is the real rate shown on Google. Banks and exchange services add a markup of 1-5% above this rate, which is how they profit from currency exchange.
Which service has the best currency exchange rates?
Specialized money transfer services like Wise, Remitly, and Revolut offer rates closest to the mid-market rate. Traditional banks charge 2-5% markup plus fees. For amounts above 500 dollars, Wise or similar services typically save 2 to 8 times the cost compared to bank wire transfers.
What is the cheapest way to send money internationally?
For large transfers: Wise or OFX offer low-fee near-mid-market rates. For small amounts: Remitly or WorldRemit often have competitive fixed fees. Avoid credit card cash advances (3-5% fee), airport exchange kiosks (often 10%+ markup), and traditional bank wire transfers with high fees and poor rates.
How are exchange rates determined?
Exchange rates are driven by supply and demand in the global forex market. Key factors include interest rate differentials between countries, economic performance, inflation rates, trade balances, government debt, political stability, and market speculation.
How do I avoid dynamic currency conversion?
When paying abroad by card, always choose to pay in the local currency, not your home currency. Dynamic Currency Conversion uses unfavorable rates with hidden markups of 3-7%. Your card network exchange rate is almost always significantly better.