Currency Converter — Free Live Exchange Rates
Use this free currency converter to get live exchange rates instantly. Convert between 30 world currencies using mid-market rates updated daily from the European Central Bank. No fees, no markup, no sign-up needed.
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How to Use the Currency Converter
Enter your amount, select your from and to currencies and click Convert. Use the quick conversion buttons for popular pairs like USD to EUR or GBP to AUD. Hit the swap button to instantly reverse the conversion.
Travelling abroad? Calculate your Fuel Cost for the journey.
What Is the Mid-Market Rate?
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies — the fairest exchange rate available. Banks and money transfer services typically add a markup of 1-5% above this rate plus additional fees.
This converter shows the pure mid-market rate with no markup so you can see exactly what a fair exchange looks like before comparing transfer services.
Why Exchange Rates Change
Exchange rates fluctuate constantly based on economic factors including interest rates set by central banks, inflation levels, political stability, trade balances and global market sentiment. Rates update every weekday based on European Central Bank data.
Mid-Market Rate vs Bank Rate
The difference between the mid-market rate and what your bank offers can be significant — especially for large transfers. On a $10,000 transfer a 2% bank markup costs $200. Services like Instarem typically offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate with lower fees — saving you money on international transfers.
Currencies Supported
This converter supports 31 major world currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, JPY, CHF, CNY, INR, NZD, SGD, HKD, MXN, BRL, PLN, TRY, ZAR and more.
Best Ways to Send Money Abroad
Once you know the exchange rate, the next step is finding the best service to actually send your money. Banks typically add a markup of 2-5% on top of the mid-market rate plus fixed fees — on a £5,000 transfer that could cost you £250 extra compared to a specialist service.
Here’s how the main options compare:
| Service | Rate | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Mid-market rate | Low fixed fee | Most transfers |
| Instarem | Near mid-market | Low fees | Asia-Pacific transfers |
| High Street Bank | 2–5% markup | High fixed fees | Not recommended |
| PayPal | 3–4% markup | Additional % fee | Small amounts only |
Ready to send money? Send with Wise — mid-market rate, no hidden fees →
Sending to Asia-Pacific? Try Instarem for competitive rates →
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FAQs
Are the exchange rates accurate?
Yes — rates are sourced from the European Central Bank and update every weekday. Weekend rates reflect the most recent Friday closing rates.
What is the mid-market rate?
The mid-market rate is the fairest exchange rate available — the midpoint between buy and sell prices. Banks typically add 1-5% above this rate. This converter shows the pure mid-market rate with no markup.
How many currencies are supported?
This converter supports 31 major world currencies covering the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
Why is my bank rate different?
Banks and exchange services add their own margin above the mid-market rate plus transaction fees. For large transfers services like Instarem typically offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate with lower fees.
How often do rates update?
Rates update every weekday. The date of the last update is shown below the conversion result.
What is the cheapest way to send money abroad from the UK?
Specialist transfer services like Wise and Instarem typically offer the cheapest rates for international transfers. They use the mid-market rate with a small transparent fee, compared to banks which add a 2-5% markup on top of additional charges.
How much does it cost to send £1,000 abroad?
Using a high street bank, sending £1,000 abroad typically costs £20-£50 in fees and rate markup. Using a specialist service like Wise, the same transfer usually costs £5-£10 total. The savings increase significantly on larger transfers.
Is Wise safe to use?
Yes — Wise is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and holds funds in safeguarded accounts. It has processed over £10 billion in transfers and is used by millions of customers worldwide.
What is the best exchange rate app?
For checking mid-market rates, a currency converter like CalcNest gives you the true rate with no markup. For actually sending money, Wise and Instarem consistently offer rates closest to the mid-market rate with the lowest fees.
Is this calculator free?
Yes completely free with no sign-up needed.
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