Swiss Franc (CHF) Exchange Rates Today
Live rates, 30-day trends, and real talk about what banks charge you for Swiss Franc.
Mid-market rate - no bank markup 200+ currencies Free
What is the Swiss Franc?
Considered one of the world's safest currencies. CHF tends to strengthen during global market stress as investors seek stability.
Symbol: CHF ISO code: CHF Central bank: Swiss National Bank (SNB)
BIS ranking: 6th most traded (the 6th most bought and sold currency worldwide) Used in: Switzerland and Liechtenstein
This page is a hub for all CHF exchange rates on our site. Use the converter above to check the current mid-market rate for Swiss Franc against any supported currency, or scroll down to browse individual pair pages with 30-day charts, historical data, and conversion tables.
How Swiss Franc is commonly exchanged
The Swiss Franc is one of the world's safest currencies. USD/CHF and EUR/CHF are the most traded pairs. CHF tends to strengthen during global market stress, making it a popular hedge. Switzerland's low inflation and political stability underpin the Franc's safe-haven status.
Most CHF 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 Swiss Franc
Travel and card conversions
If you are spending in Swiss Franc, a card with no foreign transaction fee is typically the best option. Always choose to be charged in CHF (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.
Weekend and holiday pricing
Currency markets close Friday at 5pm Eastern and reopen Sunday at 5pm Eastern. During this window, the rate you see is Friday's closing price. Some providers widen their spreads on weekends. If your conversion is not urgent, waiting until Monday often means a tighter spread and a rate that reflects current market conditions.
Large transfers
For conversions above 10,000 CHF, consider a specialist FX broker rather than your bank. The difference in rate on a large transfer can be significant - even a 0.5% improvement on a large sum adds up quickly. Get quotes from at least two providers and compare the final amount the recipient would receive, not just the headline rate.
Local tip
In Switzerland, many places accept euros but give change in Swiss francs at a poor rate. Pay in CHF to avoid a double conversion hit.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the Swiss Franc
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is unique in that it actively intervenes in FX markets and lists its currency reserves as a major balance sheet item.
Policy tool: The SNB policy rate, set quarterly. The SNB also uses direct FX intervention to prevent excessive CHF appreciation.
Key data releases: SNB monetary policy assessments (quarterly), Swiss CPI, and SNB sight deposit data (a proxy for intervention).
Moments that shaped the Swiss Franc
SNB removes EUR/CHF floor (2015)
On 15 January 2015, the Swiss National Bank unexpectedly abandoned its 1.20 EUR/CHF floor. The franc surged roughly 30% against the euro in minutes - one of the most violent moves in major currency history. Several FX brokers went bankrupt. Source: Swiss National Bank
Did you know?
- The Swiss franc is the only remaining 'franc' still issued in Europe. The Swiss 1,000 CHF note is one of the world's highest-denomination banknotes in regular circulation.
- Switzerland's banknotes are printed in four languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
- The Swiss franc is considered one of the world's safest currencies, backed by Switzerland's political neutrality.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Swiss Franc strong or weak right now?
The Swiss Franc's strength shifts based on risk appetite in global markets and interest rate differentials set by the Swiss National Bank. When investors flee riskier assets, they often buy CHF, pushing it higher.
Use the converter above to check current CHF rates against major currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP, and review the pair pages below to see how the franc has moved recently against your currency of interest.
What factors affect the Swiss Franc exchange rate?
The SNB's monetary policy and interest rate decisions have the largest direct impact on CHF. Beyond that, global risk sentiment plays a major role - geopolitical tensions, stock market volatility, and credit stress typically strengthen the franc as investors seek safety.
Switzerland's export-driven economy, banking sector stability, and current account surplus also influence long-term CHF value. Watch SNB announcements, global equity market trends, and US-Europe interest rate spreads for key signals.
What is the outlook for the Swiss Franc?
The franc's direction depends on multiple moving parts: SNB policy shifts, relative inflation and growth in Switzerland versus trading partners, and shifts in global risk sentiment. Historically, the CHF has benefited from Switzerland's low debt, strong institutions, and neutral political status during crises.
Key factors to watch include SNB guidance on future rate moves, changes in real interest rate differentials with major economies, and whether global financial stress rises or eases.
Is the Swiss Franc widely used internationally?
The Swiss Franc is a major reserve currency held by central banks and institutional investors worldwide, though it ranks below the US Dollar and Euro in reserve holdings. CHF is freely traded on global forex markets and accepted in international finance, but it is not a primary transaction currency outside Switzerland.
For international business, the franc is typically used for cross-border payments involving Switzerland, while the Dollar and Euro dominate elsewhere.
How do I compare CHF rates across providers?
The converter above shows real-time mid-market rates for CHF pairs and lets you see how the franc moves against multiple currencies at once. For deeper comparison, visit the individual pair pages below to check historical charts, volatility metrics, and rate spreads.
When comparing quotes from banks or money transfer services, note that they add margins to the mid-market rate - the spread between their buy and sell prices reveals their true cost to you.
How has the Swiss Franc performed historically?
The CHF has a strong track record as a safe-haven currency, typically appreciating during periods of financial stress and geopolitical uncertainty. Over decades, the franc has generally held or gained value against most major currencies, reflecting Switzerland's stable economy, sound monetary policy, and political neutrality.
Historical data shows the franc strengthened sharply during the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 eurozone debt crisis, and again during COVID-19 market turmoil. Check the rate statistics and historical charts below to see how CHF has performed against specific currencies over your timeframe of interest.
How volatile is the Swiss Franc?
CHF volatility is moderate compared to emerging market currencies but rises sharply during risk-off episodes when it attracts safe-haven demand. The franc's response to global shocks is often larger and faster than changes in other major currencies.
SNB intervention can also introduce short-term volatility if the central bank acts to limit franc strength. View the pair pages below to see volatility metrics and historical price swings for CHF against your currency of interest.
What is the best way to exchange Swiss Franc?
The best method depends on your location, transaction size, and whether you prioritize speed or exchange rate. For large amounts, banks and specialist money transfer services typically offer better rates than airport exchanges.
Within Switzerland, you can exchange at banks, post offices, and ATMs. For live rate quotes, use the converter above and compare the mid-market rate shown here against quotes from your bank or transfer provider to understand their margins before committing.
Is the Swiss Franc a safe-haven currency?
Yes - the Swiss Franc is a globally recognized safe-haven asset. Investors and central banks buy CHF during crises because Switzerland has a strong economy, minimal political risk, a stable central bank, and a track record of currency reliability.
During geopolitical shocks, recessions, or banking stress, the franc typically appreciates as capital flows in from risk-averse investors. This safe-haven status means CHF can move sharply when global sentiment shifts, independent of Swiss economic fundamentals.
Why is USD CHF falling?
USD/CHF moves reflect changes in the interest rate gap between the Federal Reserve and the Swiss National Bank, relative economic growth, and shifts in global risk appetite. When the franc strengthens against the dollar, it often signals either rising safe-haven demand (due to geopolitical or financial stress) or a narrowing of the US-Switzerland interest rate spread.
Check the pair page for USD/CHF below to see recent rate history, SNB and Federal Reserve policy announcements, and volatility trends that explain the pair's current direction.
Why is CHF so strong?
The franc's strength typically stems from Switzerland's structural economic advantages - low public debt, stable institutions, and a current account surplus - combined with SNB monetary policy. CHF also strengthens when global investors flee riskier assets and seek safety, which happens during equity market selloffs, geopolitical crises, or credit stress.
Real interest rate differentials also matter: if SNB rates rise faster than in other major economies, CHF becomes more attractive to yield-seeking investors. Review the SNB's recent policy decisions and global financial conditions using the pair pages below to understand what is driving current strength.
What is the best currency to take to Switzerland?
The Swiss Franc is the only legal tender in Switzerland, so you will ultimately need CHF for purchases and payments. Most visitors exchange their home currency - USD, EUR, GBP, or others - into francs either before arrival or upon landing.
For the best rate, compare options: home banks, specialist money transfer services, and Swiss banks or post offices all compete on exchange margins. Use the converter above to check the current mid-market rate, then compare quotes from your preferred provider to find the lowest total cost.
What is the 3 strongest currency in the world?
Currency 'strength' has multiple meanings: reserve currency status (USD, EUR, and CHF lead globally), purchasing power, or recent appreciation against peers. The US Dollar dominates international trade and central bank reserves.
The Swiss Franc ranks among the world's strongest safe-haven currencies and benefits from Switzerland's economic stability. The Euro, while less of a safe-haven, is the second-largest reserve currency by volume.
Compare rates for these and other major currencies using the pair pages below to see how they trade against each other today.
Learn more
- SNB - Interest and Exchange Rates - Swiss National Bank rate data
- SNB Monetary Policy Concept - How Switzerland's unique monetary policy works
Swiss Franc volatility profile
The Swiss franc is a low-volatility safe-haven currency. The Swiss National Bank actively manages CHF to prevent excessive appreciation, though the 2015 decision to abandon the EUR/CHF floor caused one of the largest single-day moves in forex history.
Live volatility score updates when market data is available.
Cost to convert Swiss Franc
Banks typically mark up CHF conversions by 3-5%. Specialist transfer providers offer rates much closer to the mid-market rate shown above, potentially saving you $30-55 on every 1,000 CHF you convert.
| Provider | Typical fee | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Mid-market rate + ~0.5% fee | — |
| Revolut | Mid-market rate, free up to monthly limit | — |
| OFX | No fixed fees, ~0.4% spread | — |
| Typical bank | 3-5% markup + fixed fee | — |
Based on sending 1,000 CHF to US Dollar. Costs include spread markup and fees. See full CHF to USD comparison →
Compare Swiss Franc with similar currencies
Swiss Franc belongs to the following currency characteristic groups. Currencies within each group often move in correlated patterns.
Reserve currencies
Widely held by central banks as official reserves. These currencies benefit from deep liquidity and are the backbone of global trade and finance.
CHF rate statistics
Swiss Franc rate context
We compare the current Swiss Franc 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 |
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| 🇦🇺 Sydney | AEST | — | — |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | JST | — | — |
| 🇬🇧 London | GMT/BST | — | — |
| 🇺🇸 New York | ET | — | — |
All CHF Currency Pairs
Live exchange rate pages for Swiss Franc against every supported currency.