Brazilian Real (BRL) Exchange Rates Today
Live rates, 30-day trends, and real talk about what banks charge you for Brazilian Real.
Mid-market rate - no bank markup 200+ currencies Free
What is the Brazilian Real?
Brazil's high interest rates have historically attracted carry trade flows. BRL is sensitive to commodity prices (soybeans, iron ore, oil) and domestic fiscal policy.
Symbol: R$ ISO code: BRL Central bank: Banco Central do Brasil (BCB)
BIS ranking: 20th most traded (the 20th most bought and sold currency worldwide) Used in: Brazil
This page is a hub for all BRL exchange rates on our site. Use the converter above to check the current mid-market rate for Brazilian Real against any supported currency, or scroll down to browse individual pair pages with 30-day charts, historical data, and conversion tables.
How Brazilian Real is commonly exchanged
The Brazilian Real is South America's most traded currency. USD/BRL is the dominant pair. Brazil's high interest rates have historically attracted carry trade flows, and the Real is sensitive to commodity prices (soybeans, iron ore, oil) and domestic fiscal policy. Cross-border remittances and trade drive steady BRL volume.
Most BRL conversions pass through one of the major pairs listed below. For less common combinations, rates are computed as cross-rates through USD or EUR, which may carry a slightly wider spread.
Practical notes for Brazilian Real
Travel and card conversions
If you are spending in Brazilian Real, a card with no foreign transaction fee is typically the best option. Always choose to be charged in BRL (the local currency) at point of sale - selecting your home currency triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion, which adds an unnecessary 3-6% markup to your transaction.
Bank spreads
As a less liquid currency, BRL spreads at banks and exchanges tend to be wider than for major currencies - sometimes 4-6% at banks and up to 15% at airport counters. Online transfer services usually offer much tighter spreads for BRL.
Remittances
The BRL remittance corridor is one of the busiest globally. Dedicated remittance services often offer better rates for recurring transfers than banks. Compare not just the exchange rate, but also the delivery speed and the final amount received in BRL after all fees are deducted.
The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) and the Brazilian Real
The Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) targets 3% inflation (+/- 1.5%) through the COPOM committee, which meets eight times per year.
Policy tool: The Selic rate. Brazil has historically maintained high nominal interest rates, making BRL attractive for carry trades.
Key data releases: Brazilian IPCA inflation, GDP, Selic decisions, and commodity export data (soybeans, iron ore, oil).
Moments that shaped the Brazilian Real
Plano Real (1994)
Brazil introduced the Real in 1994 to end decades of hyperinflation. It was the country's eighth currency since 1942. The plan pegged the Real to the US Dollar and succeeded in bringing inflation from over 2,000% to single digits within two years.
Currency history
Before the Real, Brazil cycled through the Cruzeiro, Cruzeiro Novo, Cruzado, Cruzado Novo, and Cruzeiro Real - each one created to combat runaway inflation by lopping zeros off the previous currency.
Did you know?
- Brazil has had eight different currencies since 1942, each one introduced to combat hyperinflation. The current Real, launched in 1994, has lasted longer than all its predecessors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BRL exchange rate today?
The live mid-market rate is shown in the converter above. It updates every 60 seconds during market hours (Sunday 5pm ET through Friday 5pm ET). Scroll down to see BRL rates against all supported currencies.
What is the mid-market rate for Brazilian Real?
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between wholesale buy and sell prices - the fairest benchmark before any provider adds markup. It is the rate shown on this page. Your bank or service will offer a different rate that includes their margin.
How is BRL performing this month?
Use the converter above and click through to any pair page to see the 30-day range bar, which shows where today's rate sits relative to the recent trend. The rate statistics panel shows 30-day low, high, average, and volatility.
Where can I find historical BRL rates?
Click on any pair page below and scroll to the history chart. You can view 7-day, 30-day, or 1-year history with daily rates. Use the date picker to look up a specific historical date.
What affects the value of Brazilian Real?
Central bank interest rate decisions from the Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) are typically the largest driver. Inflation data, economic growth figures, trade balances, and political stability also matter. On a day-to-day basis, scheduled economic data releases and central bank communication can cause noticeable moves.
Why do different sites show different BRL rates?
Different providers use different data sources, update at different times, and may show rates that already include their markup. The mid-market rate (shown here) is the most neutral benchmark. If a site shows a rate that is noticeably worse, that difference is likely their margin built into the number.
How is the BRL exchange rate set?
Most exchange rates are determined by supply and demand in the global forex market, where banks, funds, and corporations trade currencies 24 hours a day on weekdays. Interest rate differentials between central banks are the biggest long-term driver. No single entity "sets" the rate - it emerges from millions of transactions.
Learn more
- BCB - Exchange Rate Quotations - Official Banco Central do Brasil daily rates (PTAX)
- The Economist - Big Mac Index - A fun way to compare purchasing power across currencies
BRL rate statistics
Brazilian Real rate context
We compare the current Brazilian Real exchange rate against its recent trading range to help you decide whether now is a good time to convert. The live analysis updates throughout market hours.
Rate analysis updates when live data is available.
Forex Market Hours
The forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. Trading passes between these major financial centers as the world turns.
| Market | Timezone | Local Time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 Sydney | AEST | — | — |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | JST | — | — |
| 🇬🇧 London | GMT/BST | — | — |
| 🇺🇸 New York | ET | — | — |
All BRL Currency Pairs
Live exchange rate pages for Brazilian Real against every supported currency.