The currency exchange calculator converts between 30 currencies using live exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Useful for travel budgeting and quick conversions.
Loading live rates...
Getting the Best Exchange Rate
The exchange rate you see here is the mid-market rate — the fair midpoint between buy and sell rates. No consumer ever gets this rate; banks always take a cut. The typical bank markup is 1-3%, credit card foreign transaction fees add another 1-3%, and airport/hotel kiosks can add 5-10%.
Best ways to exchange money abroad
Local ATMs in your destination country typically give the best rates — you get the interbank rate minus your bank's foreign ATM fee (often $3-5 flat). Travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees (Chase Sapphire, Capital One, Charles Schwab) are the gold standard for daily spending abroad. Avoid dynamic currency conversion at point-of-sale — always pay in local currency.
Cash vs card
Carry some local cash for markets, taxis, and small vendors that don't accept cards. In most developed countries, $50-100 equivalent in local cash is plenty. In cash-heavy economies (Vietnam, Egypt, Morocco), carry more. Never exchange cash at airport kiosks if you can avoid it — the rates are typically 8-12% worse than ATMs.
FAQ
Where do these exchange rates come from?
Live rates come from the Frankfurter API, which sources data from the European Central Bank (ECB). Rates are updated on business days. If live rates are unavailable, the calculator falls back to recently cached rates.
Are these the rates I'll get at a bank?
No — these are mid-market (interbank) rates. Banks and currency exchanges add a markup, typically 1-3% for credit cards and 2-5% for cash exchanges. Airport kiosks can add 8-12%. The mid-market rate is useful for comparison shopping.
What's the best way to get local currency abroad?
Local ATMs at your destination typically give near-mid-market rates with a small flat fee. Travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees are best for purchases. Avoid airport currency exchanges — their rates are typically 8-12% worse.
How often are rates updated?
ECB rates are updated on business days (Monday-Friday). Weekends use Friday's closing rate. For live trading or large amounts, use a financial service provider.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free and no signup required.