British Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) Exchange Rate Today
Popular pairHow many dollars does a pound buy today - and is it a good time to convert?
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GBP to USD Conversion Table
Common amounts converted from British Pound to US Dollar at today's rate.
| British Pound (GBP) | US Dollar (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 GBP | — |
| 5 GBP | — |
| 10 GBP | — |
| 25 GBP | — |
| 50 GBP | — |
| 100 GBP | — |
| 250 GBP | — |
| 500 GBP | — |
| 1,000 GBP | — |
| 5,000 GBP | — |
| 10,000 GBP | — |
| 50,000 GBP | — |
How much US Dollar will you actually receive?
Estimated cost to convert GBP 1,000 to USD with different transfer services. Fees are sourced from published pricing pages and may vary by amount, payment method, and destination.
| Service | Rate | Fee | Total Cost | USD received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-market rate | — | - | - | — |
| Wise Visit source Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Revolut Visit source Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Remitly Visit source Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| OFX Visit source Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| XE Visit source Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Typical bank Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Bureau de change Mar 2026 | — | — | — | — |
Some links are affiliate links and may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our ranking - we sort by lowest total cost to you. Fees are estimates based on published pricing and may differ from your actual quote.
Why people convert British Pound to US Dollar
GBP/USD is one of the most traded currency pairs in the world. People convert between British Pound and US Dollar for international trade, cross-border investment, tourism, and hedging. Because of its deep liquidity, spreads are tight and most providers offer competitive rates on this pair.
GBP/USD rate statistics
Is today's GBP/USD rate good or bad?
We compare today's live British Pound to US Dollar mid-market rate against its 30-day and 52-week trading range. When the rate is near the top of its recent range, GBP holders get more US Dollar per unit - a better time to convert. When it is near the bottom, you may want to watch and wait.
GBP/USD - nicknamed 'Cable' - is one of the world's most actively traded pairs. It tends to see its tightest spreads during the London-New York overlap (1pm-5pm GMT). Bank of England rate decisions and UK economic data are the primary catalysts for significant moves.
The live analysis below updates throughout market hours and shows exactly where today's rate sits in context.
What is the GBP/USD exchange rate?
The GBP/USD rate tracks how many US Dollar one British Pound buys. Known as 'Cable' after the transatlantic telegraph line that once carried rate quotes, this is one of the oldest and most liquid forex pairs. UK-US trade, interest rate differentials, and political developments drive the rate.
GBP is issued by the Bank of England (BOE) (ranked 4th globally - meaning it's the 4th most bought and sold currency in the world). USD is issued by the Federal Reserve (ranked 1st). Full GBP profile | Full USD profile
What drives this rate? Bank of England policy, UK inflation data, and trade developments. GBP/USD is also sensitive to UK political events and fiscal policy announcements.
Is today's GBP/USD rate good or bad?
The British Pound to US Dollar mid-market rate shown above is the reference price before any provider adds fees or markup. It is not a guaranteed quote - your bank, card issuer, or transfer service will offer a different rate that includes their margin.
On a typical conversion, banks add 1-2% to this rate. The gap between the mid-market rate and what you actually receive is the real cost of converting - often larger than any flat fee. GBP/USD is one of the most liquid pairs in forex, so bank spreads are relatively tight. Even so, that margin adds up on larger amounts.
Converting British Pound to US Dollar? Read this first
A highly liquid pair. GBP/USD benefits from deep London and New York trading sessions. You should expect tight spreads from most providers, but "tight" in retail terms still means 1-2% over mid-market at most banks.
Watch out: GBP/USD is highly liquid, so spreads should be tight. If your provider is adding more than 1% to the mid-market rate shown above, you can likely do better elsewhere.
Did you know?
- The Bank of England has issued banknotes continuously since 1694. The current polymer notes feature a transparent window as a security feature.
- About 80% of all US $100 bills are held overseas, primarily in countries with unstable local currencies.
Frequently asked questions
Is now a good time to convert GBP to USD?
Check the rate context panel above - it shows where today's GBP/USD rate sits relative to its 30-day and 52-week range. If the rate is near the top of its range, GBP holders are getting more US Dollar per unit than usual. If it is near the bottom, you may benefit from waiting or splitting your conversion across several days. There is no way to reliably predict currency movements, but understanding where the rate sits in its recent range helps you make a more informed decision.
What moves the GBP/USD exchange rate?
Bank of England policy, UK inflation data, and trade developments. GBP/USD is also sensitive to UK political events and fiscal policy announcements.
Why is GBP/USD called Cable?
The nickname dates back to the 1850s when the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid between London and New York. It was used to transmit exchange rate information between the two financial capitals. The name stuck, and traders still call GBP/USD "Cable" today.
Is the pound strong or weak right now?
Check the 30-day range and 52-week context in the rate narrative above. These show where today's rate sits relative to recent history. A rate in the upper half of its 30-day range means the pound is stronger than its recent average against the dollar.
Learn more
- Bank of England Exchange Rates - Official daily sterling rates and historical data
- FRED - USD/GBP Daily Rate - Historical cable rate data from the Fed
How this rate is calculated
We prefer a direct rate from our primary data source when one is available. If a direct quote is unavailable, we compute a cross-rate through a major intermediary currency (usually USD or EUR). When a rate is derived rather than directly quoted, we label it on the page. Full methodology.