US Dollar to Chinese Yuan (USD/CNY) Exchange Rate Today
Travel moneyChina's tightly managed exchange rate. See today's fixing and what it means for your money.
Swap the currencies: CNY to USD →
Mid-market rate - no bank markup 200+ currencies Free
USD to CNY Conversion Table
Common amounts converted from US Dollar to Chinese Yuan at today's rate.
| US Dollar (USD) | Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
|---|---|
| 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 Chinese Yuan will you actually receive?
Estimated cost to convert USD 1,000 to CNY 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 | CNY 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.
Planning a trip? What to know about USD/CNY
If you are travelling and need Chinese Yuan, the mid-market rate on this page is your benchmark. Your bank, card, or bureau de change will add their own markup. Use the provider comparison table above to see how much you would actually receive. For practical tips on getting the best rate at your destination, see the travel advice section below.
USD/CNY rate statistics
Is today's USD/CNY rate good or bad?
We compare today's live US Dollar to Chinese Yuan 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 Chinese Yuan per unit - a better time to convert. When it is near the bottom, you may want to watch and wait.
Unlike most currencies, the yuan is managed by China's central bank (PBOC) within a daily trading band. The daily fixing rate announcement at 9:15am Beijing time is a key signal. US-China trade relations add an additional layer of political sensitivity.
The live analysis below updates throughout market hours and shows exactly where today's rate sits in context.
What is the USD/CNY exchange rate?
The USD/CNY rate tracks how many Chinese Yuan one US Dollar buys. Unlike most major pairs, CNY is managed by the People's Bank of China within a daily trading band. The rate is closely watched as a signal of US-China economic relations.
USD is issued by the Federal Reserve (ranked 1st globally - meaning it's the 1st most bought and sold currency in the world). CNY is issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) (ranked 5th). Full USD profile | Full CNY profile
What drives this rate? People's Bank of China daily fixing rate, US-China trade relations, and China's economic data. The PBOC manages CNY within a daily trading band, so moves tend to be more controlled than free-floating pairs.
Is today's USD/CNY rate good or bad?
The US Dollar to Chinese Yuan 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 2-4% 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. Use the mid-market rate on this page as your benchmark, then compare what your bank or transfer provider actually delivers.
Exchange rate regime
Note: Chinese Yuan is a managed currency with daily fixing by the People's Bank of China. International conversions typically use the offshore (CNH) rate.
Converting US Dollar to Chinese Yuan? Read this first
Converting to Chinese Yuan? China runs on mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) - cash and foreign cards can be difficult to use outside major hotels. Some mobile wallets now accept foreign cards, but check before you travel. Converting via a service like Wise to a China-linked account often beats airport rates.
Watch out: The USD/CNY rate moves 24 hours a day on weekdays. If you are converting a meaningful amount, compare providers using the mid-market rate on this page as your benchmark.
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 CNY?
Timing a currency conversion depends on your personal circumstances and travel dates rather than market conditions. Check the rate panel above to see current USD/CNY levels, then compare to historical ranges to understand where the dollar sits relative to recent months.
Consider whether you need yuan immediately for your trip, have flexibility in your travel dates, or can monitor rates over time. The People's Bank of China manages the yuan's value carefully, so expect more gradual movements than some other currency pairs.
What moves the USD/CNY exchange rate?
The USD/CNY rate reflects differences in interest rates between the Federal Reserve and the People's Bank of China, economic growth data from both countries, and capital flows into or out of China. Trade balances, inflation rates, and geopolitical tensions also influence this pair significantly.
Because China's government actively manages the yuan's value through the central bank, policy decisions in Beijing play a larger role here than in freely floating currency pairs. Watch for announcements from both central banks and monthly economic reports from the US and China.
Will US Dollar get stronger or weaker against Chinese Yuan?
We cannot forecast currency movements. What we can tell you is that USD/CNY historically responds to relative interest rate expectations, China's economic growth, and capital flows - factors that change frequently.
Check the chart above to see how this pair has moved over the past months and years. Consider consulting multiple sources and your own financial advisor to think through how shifts in Federal Reserve policy or China's economic data might affect your specific travel or money transfer plans.
How can I avoid fees when converting USD to CNY?
Compare conversion methods: major banks, online currency specialists, and airport exchanges all charge different markups on top of the real exchange rate. Online services often cost less than airport counters, and some travel cards offer mid-market rates with minimal fees.
Ask each provider for their full fee structure before committing, since the final cost depends on both the markup and any fixed transaction charges. Plan ahead rather than converting at the last minute, when you'll have fewer options and less time to shop around.
Should I exchange Chinese Yuan at home or abroad?
Exchanging before you leave the US typically offers better rates and more transparency than airport exchanges in China, where you'll pay premium markups and may face limited vendor options. However, you'll need to order yuan in advance from your bank, which takes planning.
An alternative is carrying a US debit card to withdraw yuan directly from ATMs in China - compare this option's fees against your bank's foreign exchange rate to see which costs less. Each method has tradeoffs between convenience, cost, and access to funds.
How far does US Dollar go in China?
Purchasing power in China varies dramatically by location and category. Major cities like Beijing and Shanghai have costs approaching Western levels for international goods and upscale restaurants, while smaller cities and local food remain inexpensive.
A single US dollar converts to yuan using the rate shown in the panel above, but what that buys depends entirely on what you're shopping for - street food costs far less than hotel rooms or foreign brands. Research prices for your specific destinations and activities to understand your realistic budget.
What is the cheapest way to send USD to CNY?
Bank wire transfers, online money transfer services, and international payment platforms each carry different fee structures. Online specialists often undercut traditional banks on exchange rates and fees for larger amounts.
Check multiple providers' quotes for your exact transfer size, since some charge flat fees that make them cheaper for large transfers while others suit small amounts better. Factor in both the exchange rate markup and any transfer fees when comparing total cost - the quoted rate often isn't the final cost you'll actually pay.
Why does Trump want a weaker dollar?
We present data rather than explain political preferences. What matters for USD/CNY: a weaker dollar would make US exports to China cheaper for Chinese buyers and imports from China more expensive for American consumers.
This dynamic reflects broader US trade policy concerns rather than being specific to the yuan. Monitor official statements from US government and Federal Reserve officials for their views on currency policy, and watch how those statements move the rate panel above.
How much is $100 US worth in China?
Check the rate panel above to see today's USD/CNY conversion - multiply 100 by the current rate to find the yuan equivalent. That number tells you the exchange value, but actual purchasing power depends on what you buy and where.
The same amount of yuan buys vastly different things in Beijing versus rural provinces, and foreign brands cost more than local products. Use online price comparisons for your planned activities and purchases to understand what your budget realistically covers.
Is $1000 USD a lot in China?
Whether 1000 dollars feels substantial depends on your travel style and location. Convert it using the rate panel above to see the yuan amount, then research prices for your accommodation, dining, and activities in your specific cities.
In expensive neighborhoods of Shanghai or Beijing, this might cover a week's mid-range travel; in smaller cities it stretches much further. Budget trackers from travel sites show typical daily costs by region, which will help you assess whether this amount suits your trip length and comfort level.
Is Chinese yuan getting stronger?
Check the chart above to see yuan performance over your chosen time period - you'll find data on whether USD/CNY rates have risen or fallen. A rising rate means the dollar buys more yuan (dollar stronger), while a falling rate means the opposite.
The People's Bank of China's policy decisions and China's economic growth relative to US conditions drive longer-term trends. Reviewing 6-month, 1-year, and multi-year charts gives better perspective than short-term movements.
What is the 3 strongest currency in the world?
Currency strength depends on how you measure it - by market size, economic power, or value per unit. The US dollar, euro, and Chinese yuan rank as the three largest reserve currencies globally by central bank holdings and international trade usage.
If measured by purchasing power per unit, some smaller currencies like the Swiss franc rank higher. Our rate comparisons let you track any pair's movement, but defining 'strongest' requires clarifying whether you mean trade volume, economic backing, or exchange rate direction.
Learn more
- PBOC Monetary Policy - People's Bank of China policy announcements that drive CNY
- IMF - China Economic Outlook - Article IV consultations and economic assessments
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.