US Dollar to South Korean Won (USD/KRW) Exchange Rate Today
Travel moneySouth Korea's won - driven by tech exports and regional sentiment. See where it sits today.
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USD to KRW Conversion Table
Common amounts converted from US Dollar to South Korean Won at today's rate.
| US Dollar (USD) | South Korean Won (KRW) |
|---|---|
| 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 South Korean Won will you actually receive?
Estimated cost to convert USD 1,000 to KRW 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 | KRW 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/KRW
If you are travelling and need South Korean Won, 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/KRW rate statistics
Is today's USD/KRW rate good or bad?
We compare today's live US Dollar to South Korean Won 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 South Korean Won per unit - a better time to convert. When it is near the bottom, you may want to watch and wait.
South Korea's won is sensitive to global semiconductor demand, since chips are Korea's largest export. Samsung and SK Hynix earnings seasons can influence KRW direction. The Bank of Korea also watches USD/KRW closely.
The live analysis below updates throughout market hours and shows exactly where today's rate sits in context.
What is the USD/KRW exchange rate?
The USD/KRW rate tracks how many South Korean Won one US Dollar buys. South Korea's export-heavy economy - led by semiconductors and electronics - makes KRW sensitive to global tech demand and trade sentiment.
USD is issued by the Federal Reserve (ranked 1st globally - meaning it's the 1st most bought and sold currency in the world). KRW is issued by the Bank of Korea (BOK) (ranked 11th). Full USD profile | Full KRW profile
US Dollar to South Korean Won is commonly checked by K-culture fans, tech industry workers, and travellers to Seoul.
What drives this rate? Bank of Korea policy, semiconductor export demand (Korea's main industry), and risk sentiment toward Asian emerging markets. Korean equity inflows from foreign investors also matter.
Is today's USD/KRW rate good or bad?
The US Dollar to South Korean Won 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.
Converting US Dollar to South Korean Won? Read this first
Converting to Korean Won? South Korea's payment landscape is highly digital - credit and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere. Airport bureau de change offer poor rates; Myeongdong money changers in Seoul or bank ATMs are significantly better. T-money transit cards are prepaid, not linked to your bank.
Watch out: The USD/KRW 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 KRW?
Timing a currency conversion depends on your personal circumstances rather than trying to predict market moves. Check the rate panel above to see the current USD/KRW level and compare it against your historical expectations.
Consider whether you need the won immediately for travel or can wait - if you're flexible, tracking the rate over a few days or weeks may help you spot patterns. Your decision should ultimately rest on when you need the currency and your comfort with the current rate, not market forecasting.
What moves the USD/KRW exchange rate?
The USD/KRW rate responds to interest rate decisions from both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Korea, since higher US rates typically attract capital to dollar assets. Economic data from both countries - including inflation, employment, and GDP growth - shifts demand for each currency.
Trade flows between the United States and South Korea also matter; if US companies buy more Korean exports, demand for won rises. Broader risk sentiment affects the pair too, since the won tends to weaken when investors flee to the safety of the dollar during global uncertainty.
Will US Dollar get stronger or weaker against South Korean Won?
We don't forecast currency direction - that would require predicting Federal Reserve policy, Bank of Korea policy, and Korean economic data, which no one can do reliably. What we can tell you is that factors to watch include relative interest rates between the two central banks, trade imbalances, and how risk appetite shifts in global markets.
Check the chart above to see the historical pattern of USD/KRW movement and judge for yourself whether current economic conditions support any particular direction.
How can I avoid fees when converting USD to KRW?
Banks typically charge spreads (the difference between buy and sell rates) and explicit fees, so comparing institutions is your first step. Online currency converters and specialist money transfer services often undercut banks on both margins and fees.
If you're converting a large amount, negotiate directly with your bank or shop around - some services offer better rates for higher volumes. Always ask upfront about all costs before committing, since hidden fees can quickly erode your dollars.
Should I exchange South Korean Won at home or abroad?
Exchange rates and fees vary significantly between US banks, Korean banks, and money changers in South Korea, so comparison shopping matters more than location alone. Exchanging before you travel gives you the certainty of knowing your costs upfront, while exchanging in Seoul may offer better rates depending on the institution - Korean banks typically have tight spreads on their home currency.
For smaller amounts, the convenience of exchanging at home may outweigh slightly better rates abroad; for larger sums, getting quotes from Korean banks before you travel is worth the effort.
How far does US Dollar go in South Korea?
The purchasing power of your dollars in South Korea depends on what you buy and where you shop. Check the rate panel above, then research prices for your specific needs - a meal at a street vendor costs far less than a restaurant in Gangnam, and luxury goods in Seoul often match or exceed US prices.
Generally, basic food, public transportation, and accommodations outside central Seoul offer good value, but entertainment, dining, and imported goods tend to be pricier than in the United States. Your actual experience will depend heavily on your travel style and which cities you visit.
What is the cheapest way to send USD to KRW?
Online remittance specialists (such as Wise, OFX, and similar providers) typically charge lower fees and offer tighter spreads than banks for cross-border transfers to South Korea. Wire transfers through banks are fast but expensive, while smaller specialist money transfer services may have even lower fees if you're flexible on timing.
Compare all-in costs - not just the headline exchange rate, but every fee and markup - across at least three providers before sending. If you have a South Korean bank account, some services will deposit directly at lower cost than paying a third-party recipient.
Is USD strong in Korea?
The relative strength of the dollar against the won is best measured by looking at the rate panel above and comparing it to historical averages over the past months and years. The Federal Reserve's interest rate policy and economic growth relative to South Korea's central bank conditions determine whether the dollar strengthens or weakens over time.
Recent trends show how the pair has moved, but "strong" depends on your perspective - exporters view strength differently than importers, and travelers care most about how many won their dollars purchase today.
Why is Korean won so weak to USD?
The won's value against the dollar reflects the interest rate gap between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Korea - when US rates are higher, capital flows toward dollar assets, reducing demand for won. South Korea's export-dependent economy means the won often weakens during global risk-off periods as investors reduce exposure to riskier assets, while the dollar strengthens as a safe haven.
Trade dynamics, corporate investment flows, and the relative health of the US and Korean economies all factor into the pair's valuation at any given time. Rather than asking why the won is weak, it's more useful to examine the specific economic conditions driving the current USD/KRW rate you see above.
What is the 3 day rule in Korea?
South Korea does not have a widely recognized "3 day rule" in finance or retail that applies to currency exchange or general commerce. You may be thinking of a specific policy from a particular bank, retailer, or service provider - these terms vary by institution.
If you're planning a transaction and have heard about a 3-day requirement, contact your bank or service provider directly to clarify the exact policy. Always ask for the rules in writing before committing to any exchange or transfer.
Is $10,000 a lot of money in Korea?
Whether $10,000 is a large sum in South Korea depends on your context - as a monthly income it's modest compared to Seoul professionals, but as a travel budget it's substantial. Check the rate panel above to see what your $10,000 converts to in won, then research specific costs: a month of rent in central Seoul, a comfortable meal, or public transit.
For a two-week leisure trip, $10,000 covers lodging, food, and activities comfortably; as a living wage for an expat, it would stretch but require careful budgeting outside major cities. Your actual purchasing power depends entirely on where and how you spend.
Why is KRW falling?
The Korean won moves based on the same fundamental drivers as any currency - interest rate differentials, economic data, risk sentiment, and trade flows - rather than falling or rising for a single reason. When the Federal Reserve maintains higher rates than the Bank of Korea, investors get better returns on dollar assets, increasing demand for dollars and reducing demand for won.
During periods of global uncertainty, the won often weakens as money flows toward safe havens like the dollar, while strong Korean export news or positive economic data can support won strength. To understand recent won movements, check the chart above and cross-reference it with announcements from both central banks and recent Korean economic data releases.
Learn more
- Bank of Korea - Exchange Rates - Official daily KRW rates
- FRED - USD/KRW Daily Rate - Historical Korean won rate data
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.