What rate am I seeing on ExchangeRates.com?
The main rate on our site is the indicative mid-market rate. This is the midpoint between wholesale buy and sell prices in the foreign-exchange market. It is a benchmark, not usually the final rate a consumer receives.
Is this a live rate?
During market hours, our primary data can refresh as often as every 60 seconds. Outside market hours - especially over most of the weekend - you may see the last available market close rather than a new live quote.
Will I get this exact rate if I convert money?
Usually not. Banks, card networks, brokers, and money-transfer services typically add a spread, a fee, or both. For a real transaction, the number that matters is the final amount you receive after all charges.
Where does your data come from?
Our primary source for live and historical exchange-rate data is TwelveData. We also use European Central Bank reference rates as an additional reference source, and Bank for International Settlements survey data for market context. If a direct rate is temporarily unavailable, we may calculate a cross-rate through a major currency such as USD or EUR.
Can I trust online currency converters?
As benchmarks, yes - if they are transparent. A useful converter should tell you the data source, the update time, the type of rate shown, and whether the number is indicative or executable. If it does not tell you those basics, treat it as a rough guide, not gospel.
What makes a currency converter trustworthy?
A trustworthy converter makes five things easy to see: where the data comes from, when it was last updated, what kind of rate it shows, whether the market is open or closed, and what is not included. The biggest omission on many sites is the provider markup hidden inside a retail rate.
Why is my bank, card, ATM, or transfer app showing a different rate?
Because it is usually showing a retail rate, not the mid-market rate. Retail rates often include a spread. They may also include fixed fees, weekend markups, or different prices depending on the amount, funding method, destination, or payout method.
Why do Google, Reuters, and ExchangeRates.com sometimes show slightly different numbers?
Small differences can happen because of different data sources, slightly different timestamps, rounding, or cross-rate calculations. Bigger differences usually mean you are comparing a benchmark rate with a retail quote.
What does "indicative rate" mean?
It means a reference rate for information and comparison. It is not a binding offer to exchange money at that exact number.
Why do rates stop moving on weekends?
The main wholesale foreign-exchange market is largely closed over the weekend. Most public converters therefore show the last available market close until trading reopens. A provider may still offer you a weekend conversion rate, but that often includes extra margin.
What is the difference between mid-market, retail, and official rates?
The mid-market rate is the wholesale benchmark. The retail rate is the rate a consumer is offered by a bank, card, or transfer provider. An official or reference rate is published by a central bank or official body and may be used for reporting, accounting, or policy purposes. It is not always the rate you can actually trade at.
Can I use these rates for accounting or tax?
Sometimes as a reference, but not always as the required source. For formal accounting, tax, or contract use, follow the source and method required by your accountant, auditor, counterparty, or local authority.
What if a country has more than one real exchange rate?
This happens. Some countries have official rates, bank rates, card rates, and parallel-market rates. A public converter usually shows the official, interbank, or reference rate - not every real-world rate a person may face on the ground. In those cases, one number can be useful, but it is not the whole story.
Should I compare providers by fee or by rate?
By neither on its own. Compare the final amount received after both the exchange-rate spread and any fees. A low advertised fee can still be a bad deal if the rate itself is poor.
How should I compare providers fairly?
Use the same amount, the same source and destination countries, the same payment method, the same payout method, and the same moment in time. Then compare the final amount received - not just the headline fee or marketing claim.
What does "no fee" usually mean?
Sometimes it truly means no separate fee. Just as often, it means the cost is hidden in the exchange rate. A "fee-free" transfer can still be expensive if the provider uses a wide spread.
What should I do if I think a rate or page is wrong?
Tell us. The most useful report includes the currency pair, the time you saw it, a screenshot if possible, and what looked wrong. Rates move fast, but broken data should still be fixed fast.
Do you exchange money or recommend a provider?
No. ExchangeRates.com is an information and comparison service. If we publish provider comparisons, we explain the assumptions behind them and disclose any commercial relationships clearly.
How do you make money?
ExchangeRates.com may make money from advertising, partnerships, or referrals. That does not change the benchmark rates we publish. If a commercial relationship affects placement in a comparison, we say so clearly.