US Dollar to Canadian Dollar (USD/CAD) Exchange Rate Today
Popular pairThe rate behind every cross-border purchase, transfer, and business deal between the US and Canada.
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USD to CAD Conversion Table
Common amounts converted from US Dollar to Canadian Dollar at today's rate.
| US Dollar (USD) | Canadian Dollar (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 USD | — |
| 5 USD | — |
| 10 USD | — |
| 25 USD | — |
| 50 USD | — |
| 100 USD | — |
| 250 USD | — |
| 500 USD | — |
| 1,000 USD | — |
| 5,000 USD | — |
| 10,000 USD | — |
| 50,000 USD | — |
How much Canadian Dollar will you actually receive?
Estimated cost to convert USD 1,000 to CAD 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 | CAD received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-market rate | — | - | - | — |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| — | — | — | — | |
| 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 US Dollar to Canadian Dollar
USD/CAD is one of the most traded currency pairs in the world. People convert between US Dollar and Canadian 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.
USD/CAD rate statistics
Is today's USD/CAD rate good or bad?
We compare today's live US Dollar to Canadian Dollar mid-market rate against its 30-day and 52-week trading range. When the rate is near the top of its recent range, USD holders get more Canadian Dollar per unit - a better time to convert. When it is near the bottom, you may want to watch and wait.
The US-Canada rate is heavily influenced by oil prices, since Canada is a major energy exporter. The tight economic integration between the two countries means this pair often trades in a relatively narrow range compared to other major pairs.
The live analysis below updates throughout market hours and shows exactly where today's rate sits in context.
What is the USD/CAD exchange rate?
The USD/CAD rate tracks how many Canadian Dollar one US Dollar buys. Nicknamed the 'Loonie', this pair tracks the US-Canada economic relationship. Oil prices are a major driver, since Canada is one of the world's largest energy exporters.
USD is issued by the Federal Reserve (ranked 1st globally - meaning it's the 1st most bought and sold currency in the world). CAD is issued by the Bank of Canada (BOC) (ranked 8th). Full USD profile | Full CAD profile
What drives this rate? Oil prices are a major driver since Canada is a large energy exporter. Bank of Canada rate decisions and US-Canada trade flows also play a key role.
Is today's USD/CAD rate good or bad?
The US Dollar to Canadian 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. USD/CAD 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 US Dollar to Canadian Dollar? Read this first
Converting to Canadian Dollars? Canada's banking system is highly efficient - cards are accepted everywhere and ATMs from the big five banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) offer competitive rates. For large transfers, online services typically beat banks by 1-2%.
Watch out: USD/CAD 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 US $100 bill is the most counterfeited denomination globally - the Secret Service estimates about 0.01% of all hundreds in circulation are fake.
Frequently asked questions
Is now a good time to convert USD to CAD?
Timing a currency conversion depends on your specific circumstances and time horizon rather than market conditions alone. Check the rate panel above to see the current USD/CAD rate and compare it to historical levels using the chart on this page.
Consider whether you need the Canadian dollars for immediate expenses, planned travel, or investment - that need typically matters more than trying to catch a perfect rate. If you're converting regularly, spreading conversions over time can reduce the impact of short-term volatility.
What moves the USD/CAD exchange rate?
The USD/CAD rate responds to interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada, with rate differentials between the two central banks often driving directional moves. Oil prices significantly influence this pair because Canada's economy is commodity-export dependent, particularly crude oil.
Economic data releases - like US employment reports, Canadian GDP figures, and inflation readings - shift trader expectations about future monetary policy and move the pair. Risk sentiment also matters: during global uncertainty, the US dollar often strengthens as a safe-haven currency, while strength in equity markets can support the Canadian dollar.
Will US Dollar get stronger or weaker against Canadian Dollar?
We don't make predictions about future exchange rate direction. What we can tell you is that historical data and current economic conditions are available on this page - check the chart above to see how USD/CAD has moved over different time periods.
To form your own view, watch factors including Federal Reserve policy signals, Bank of Canada rate decisions, crude oil price trends, and relative economic growth between the US and Canada. The rate panel shows you the current market pricing, which reflects what traders expect based on available information.
How can I avoid fees when converting USD to CAD?
Fee structures vary widely between banks, online transfer services, and currency specialists, so comparing providers on your own bank's website and independent review sites is essential. Many online currency exchange platforms advertise lower fees than traditional banks, though you should read the fine print about hidden markups on the exchange rate itself.
Some services offer fee waivers for first-time customers or larger transaction amounts, so it's worth checking eligibility. Direct your bank or service provider to show you the all-in cost - both explicit fees and the difference between their offered rate and the mid-market rate shown in the comparison table on this page.
Should I exchange Canadian Dollar at home or abroad?
Exchanging before you travel typically offers better rates and more control than airport or tourist-area exchanges, which tend to charge significant markups. In Canada itself, you'll find the tightest spreads at major banks and dedicated currency exchanges in city centers, where competition keeps margins lower than in tourist areas.
If you're traveling to the US, exchanging USD at your home bank before departure usually beats exchanging Canadian dollars once you arrive. Consider using a debit card in the US rather than exchanging cash, as many banks now offer competitive rates on card transactions, though you should verify your bank's specific fees.
How far does US Dollar go in Canada?
The purchasing power of one US dollar in Canada depends on the current USD/CAD exchange rate shown in the rate panel above - check that first to see how many Canadian dollars you get per US dollar. Cost of living varies significantly by region: major cities like Toronto and Vancouver are expensive, while smaller provinces offer lower prices for housing, food, and services.
Generally, prices for imported goods and services in Canada are comparable to or slightly higher than in the US, though domestic goods and energy costs fluctuate based on the currency rate and commodity prices. Use the current rate to calculate your purchasing power, then research specific Canadian cities for the goods and services you plan to buy.
What is the cheapest way to send USD to CAD?
Online money transfer services, international wire specialists, and some fintech platforms typically offer lower costs than traditional banks for sending USD to Canada. Your own bank's wire transfer option is usually more expensive due to higher fees and less competitive exchange rates than dedicated services.
The cheapest option depends on your transfer amount, frequency, and whether speed matters - overnight delivery commands a premium over standard transfers. Compare total costs across providers by requesting quotes, as some bundle lower fees with less favorable rates, while others do the opposite; the rate panel can help you benchmark whether their quoted rate is competitive versus the mid-market rate.
Is CAD getting stronger against USD?
Check the chart above to see how the USD/CAD rate has moved over recent months and years - a rising USD/CAD means the dollar is strengthening relative to the Canadian dollar, while a falling rate means the Canadian dollar is gaining ground. The data shows that longer-term strength or weakness depends on periods: some years the Canadian dollar appreciates while others see depreciation.
Recent trends in this pair have been influenced by energy prices, interest rate expectations, and economic growth differentials between Canada and the US. For the most current perspective, review the comparison table on this page and track central bank communications from the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada.
What is a good conversion rate for CAD to USD?
A "good" conversion rate is relative to historical context and your personal timeline - check the chart on this page to see where the current CAD/USD rate sits compared to the past year, five years, or longer. The rate panel displays the mid-market rate, which reflects what banks pay each other; your actual rate from a provider will include their margin.
Rather than chasing a specific number, consider whether you need Canadian dollars now or can wait, and compare quoted rates from multiple providers against the mid-market benchmark shown here. Historical data on this page shows you the range of rates you might expect, helping you decide if today's offer is reasonable relative to recent norms.
Why is the Canada dollar so weak?
The Canadian dollar's value relative to the US dollar is influenced by multiple structural factors: Canada's economy is heavily dependent on commodity exports, particularly crude oil, so weak energy prices reduce demand for Canadian dollars. Interest rate differentials matter too - when the Federal Reserve holds rates higher than the Bank of Canada, US dollar returns become more attractive to investors, increasing demand for dollars.
Economic growth differences between the two countries also play a role; periods of stronger US growth relative to Canada tend to favor the US dollar. Watch the chart on this page for longer-term trends and compare it to energy price movements and central bank rate decisions to see how these factors interact.
What was the lowest CAD to USD ever?
Historical low points for the Canadian dollar against the US dollar are visible in the chart on this page - scroll back to see extended price history spanning years or decades depending on your view. The Canadian dollar has experienced significant weakness during commodity downturns and periods of slower economic growth relative to the US, with notable lows during the 1980s and again during the 2015 - 2016 oil price collapse.
Rather than a single "lowest" number, the rate fluctuates based on the drivers described above: energy prices, interest rate differentials, and economic performance. Use the historical data on this page to understand the range of values the Canadian dollar has traded at, which helps context current levels.
Why is the CAD so weak?
The Canadian dollar's relative weakness against the US dollar stems from structural economic differences: Canada's heavy reliance on commodity exports, especially oil, means the currency is sensitive to global energy prices and demand. The US economy tends to grow faster and attract more foreign investment, putting upward pressure on the US dollar while the Canadian dollar faces headwinds.
Interest rate policy amplifies this when the Federal Reserve maintains higher rates than the Bank of Canada, making US dollar investments more appealing and increasing demand for dollars. Review the chart above to see how USD/CAD has moved alongside oil price trends and interest rate decisions by both central banks over recent years.
Learn more
- Bank of Canada - Exchange Rates - Official daily noon and closing rates
- FRED - USD/CAD Daily Rate - Historical loonie 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.