How to Use the Currency Converter
Exchange rates change constantly. This converter gives you the current mid-market rate so you know exactly what your money is worth before any bank fees or markup.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1 Select the currency you are converting from.
- 2 Enter the amount you want to convert.
- 3 Select the currency you are converting to.
- 4 View the converted amount based on the current exchange rate.
Understanding the Inputs
Amount
The Amount is the sum of money you want to convert from one currency to another. This could be the price of an item you want to buy from a foreign website, the cash you plan to exchange at a currency counter for travel, or a payment you are sending to someone overseas.
How to find it: This is simply the dollar or euro amount you have in mind. For travel, check how much foreign cash you need for your trip. For shopping, look at the listed price on the international website. For sending money, it is the amount you intend to transfer.
Why it matters: The amount scales the conversion rate linearly. Converting $100 USD to EUR at a rate of 0.92 gives you 92 EUR. Converting $1,000 gives you 920 EUR. Getting the amount right is essential for budgeting, whether you are planning a $2,000 trip or pricing a $50 import.
Type: number · Default: 0
From
The source currency is the currency you currently hold or the currency in which a price is listed. USD (US Dollar) is the worlds primary reserve currency, while EUR (Euro) is used by 20 European countries. Each currency has a three-letter ISO code for international transactions.
How to find it: Your source currency is determined by where your money is held. If you have a US bank account, your source is USD. If the product price is listed in Japanese Yen on a Tokyo website, your source is JPY. Check the currency symbol or code on your bank statement or the merchant checkout page.
Why it matters: Selecting the correct source currency is the foundation of an accurate conversion. A price of 100 Japanese Yen (JPY) converts to about $0.67 USD. Confusing Yen for Chinese Yuan (CNY) would give you approximately $13.80 USD, a massive difference of over 20x.
Type: select · Default: USD
To
The target currency is the currency you want to convert into. This is the currency you will actually spend, receive, or hold. If you are traveling from the US to Mexico, you convert USD to MXN (Mexican Peso). If a German company is paying you, you might convert EUR to USD.
How to find it: Your target currency depends on your destination or purpose. For international travel, it is the local currency of the country you are visiting. For online shopping, it is the currency the seller uses. For receiving payments, check what currency your bank account accepts.
Why it matters: The choice of target currency determines the final number you care about. Converting $500 USD to EUR at 0.92 gives you 460 EUR for European travel. Converting the same $500 to JPY at 150 gives you 75,000 Yen for Japan. Picking the wrong target currency makes the result meaningless.
Type: select · Default: EUR
Tips & Best Practices
- ✓ Banks and airport kiosks add 3-5% markup on exchange rates. Use this tool to check their rates before you exchange money.
- ✓ Consider using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for international purchases.
- ✓ The mid-market rate shown here is what banks use between themselves. You will rarely get this exact rate.
by CalculatorPro Tools · Updated 2026-07-29