Free Currency Converter: Daily Exchange Rates From the ECB
Convert U.S. dollars, euros, pounds, yen, pesos and more with the European Central Bank's daily reference rates, see the rate both ways, and check what a bank or card fee does to the amount you actually get.
Listen to this article
Planning a trip, paying an invoice abroad or comparing a money transfer quote starts with the exchange rate. This free currency converter uses the euro reference rates the European Central Bank publishes every working day, converts between any two of the currencies in its list, and shows how much a bank or card fee takes off. The rates come through our own server, so your browser does not contact any third party.
Currency converter
Convert between the U.S. dollar, the euro and the other currencies in the European Central Bank's daily reference rates.
Euro foreign exchange reference rates from the European Central Bank, usually updated around 16:00 CET on working days. They are published for information purposes only; cross rates between two non-euro currencies are calculated through the euro.
Key takeaways
- On October 2, 2026, the ECB reference rate was 1.1225 U.S. dollars per euro, so $1,000 was worth about €890.87.
- Reference rates are mid-market rates for information. Banks, card networks and exchange services add a margin or fees.
- A 3% foreign transaction fee on that $1,000 purchase means you effectively get only about €864 worth.
- When a card terminal abroad offers to charge you in dollars, choosing the local currency usually gives the better rate.
Where the rates come from
The European Central Bank publishes euro foreign exchange reference rates for the U.S. dollar and other major currencies. They are based on a daily concertation procedure between central banks in Europe around 14:10 CET and are usually published around 16:00 CET on every working day except TARGET holidays. The ECB states that the rates are published for information purposes only and strongly discourages using them for transactions.
Because every ECB rate is quoted against the euro, the converter calculates other pairs through the euro: the dollar-to-yen rate, for example, is the yen rate divided by the dollar rate. On weekends and holidays, the most recent working day's rates apply.
Why your bank's rate is different
- Exchange margin: banks, airports and exchange counters buy at one rate and sell at another; the difference is their profit.
- Foreign transaction fees: many credit and debit cards charge a percentage on purchases in foreign currencies or from foreign merchants. Cards without this fee are common among travel credit cards.
- Dynamic currency conversion: a terminal or ATM abroad may offer to charge you in dollars. The conversion rate it uses is set by the merchant's provider and is often worse than your card's. Paying in the local currency avoids it.
- Transfer fees: money transfer services charge fixed fees, a margin on the rate or both. U.S. law requires providers to show the exchange rate, fees and the amount the recipient gets before you pay for most international transfers.
Enter your bank's or card's fee in the calculator to see the amount after the fee. Our guide to how exchange rates work explains what moves currencies, and how to send money internationally compares the ways to transfer money abroad.
How to convert currency by hand
Amount in the new currency = amount × exchange rate
At 1.1225 dollars per euro, €500 × 1.1225 = $561.25, and $500 ÷ 1.1225 = €445.43. When a rate is quoted as "EUR/USD 1.1225", one euro costs 1.1225 dollars.
Frequently asked questions
How often are the exchange rates updated?
The ECB publishes new reference rates once a day on working days, usually around 16:00 Central European Time. Markets move all day, so live trading rates can differ from the daily reference rate.
Can I get the rate shown here at my bank?
Usually not exactly. The reference rate is a mid-market rate; banks and exchange services add a margin and sometimes fees. Compare the amount you receive, not just the advertised rate.
Which currencies can I convert?
The euro and the other currencies in the ECB's daily list, including the U.S. dollar, British pound, Japanese yen, Canadian and Australian dollar, Swiss franc, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan, Indian rupee and Brazilian real.
Is it cheaper to exchange money before I travel?
Often not. Airport and hotel exchanges tend to have wide margins. Paying by a card without foreign transaction fees, or withdrawing local cash from a bank ATM abroad, is usually cheaper; check your bank's ATM fees first.
