Currency converter

Convert an amount between two currencies using the available reference exchange rate. The quote your bank or exchange house offers when you actually transact may differ due to spread, fees, and time of day.

Exchange rates change every minute in the markets, but the price you pay (in a transfer, an international purchase, or an ATM withdrawal) is not that mid-market rate: it includes a provider margin — the spread — and possible fixed fees. This calculator works with reference exchange rates aggregated from public sources, refreshed periodically. It is useful to anticipate the approximate amount of an operation, not to close financial transactions: for that, the official quote from your bank at the moment of operating is the only binding figure.

Financial disclaimerIndicative result — not professional financial advice. Consult a specialist before making investment or credit decisions.

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Calculator · Exchange rate

What it calculates

Converts an amount from a source currency to a target currency applying the available reference exchange rate. Shows the result, the rate applied, and the date/time of the last rate update so you know how recent the data is.

Who it's for

For people traveling abroad who need to estimate expenses in local currency. For freelancers or SMBs that charge or pay in another currency and want to anticipate how much will hit their account. For e-commerce buyers comparing prices between international stores. To understand the gap between the mid rate and the provider's quote before accepting an operation.

When to use it

Before traveling, to budget expenses in local currency. When receiving an invoice or quote in foreign currency. When comparing prices between international stores. When charging in foreign currency and wanting to estimate how much you'll see deposited after bank conversion. To understand the magnitude of spread when comparing your quote against the reference rate.

When NOT to use it

Don't use it to close financial operations: the binding quote is the one your bank or exchange house offers at the moment of operating. Don't use it to report rates in official financial statements: for accounting always cross-reference with your jurisdiction's official source (Banxico, Banco de España, Banco de la República, etc.). It is not tax advice on the taxation of foreign currency operations.

What data it needs

  • Amount

    Quantity to convert, expressed in the source currency.

  • Source currency

    The currency the amount starts in (USD, EUR, MXN, GBP, etc.). Select the real currency of your operation, not what your bank uses internally for the conversion.

  • Target currency

    The currency you're converting to. The result is expressed in this currency at the reference exchange rate.

  • Exchange rate (informative)

    The calculator displays the rate applied and the date/time of the last update. If you need to use a different rate (e.g., the one your bank publishes), you can do the manual conversion with the formula described below.

Formula

Basic conversion: target amount = source amount × exchange rate (source → target). If your provider charges spread or commission, adjust: amount received = source amount × applied rate − fixed fee. The rate applied by your bank is usually the market mid plus a margin of 0.5% to 4% depending on the provider (currency exchange houses at airports tend to be at the high end).

How to interpret the result

The number you see is a reference. Your bank likely quotes a bit differently (a bit worse, except in large operations with preferential rates). If the difference between estimated and received is less than 1-2%, that's normal spread. If it's above 3-4%, it's worth comparing against another provider before closing. For large operations (>$10,000 USD equivalent), considering specialized services (Wise, Revolut Business, wholesale exchange houses) usually saves significant amounts.

How this simulator was reviewed

What you'll see, what it prevents, and where you shouldn't trust it

Hypothetical caseCase A

A traveler estimating expenses before a trip to Mexico

A European traveler takes €1,500 for 10 days in Mexico. Reference rate: 1 EUR = 18.50 MXN. Estimated conversion: $27,750 MXN. But when paying at Mexican ATMs with a European card, the applied rate is 17.95 (3% spread) plus a fixed fee of $80 MXN per withdrawal. After three withdrawals: receives ~$26,685 MXN — $1,065 less than the reference. The calculator helped them anticipate that their 10 days required a slightly larger buffer than they had initially planned.

Illustrative figures. Does not represent a real company or an investment recommendation.

Hypothetical caseCase B

An SMB charging in USD that needs to anticipate income in MXN

A digital agency invoices USD 8,000 to a foreign client. Reference rate: 18.20 MXN/USD. Estimated conversion: $145,600 MXN. The bank will apply an exchange rate when receiving the transfer, typically 17.85 (1.9% spread) — receives $142,800 MXN. Difference vs estimate: $2,800 MXN (~1.9%). To avoid cash flow surprises, the SMB uses the converter with a conservative rate (-2% from reference) when estimating next month's income. Result: realistic cash planning that doesn't break when the real spread appears.

Illustrative figures. Does not represent a real company or an investment recommendation.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all providers use the same rate. The difference between mid rate and the rate applied by a bank/exchange house can be 0.5% (wholesale transfer) or more than 5% (airport ATM). Large spreads are normal; what matters is comparing before operating.
  • Ignoring fixed commissions. Some providers charge a fixed fee per operation in addition to spread. For small amounts, the fixed fee can weigh more than the spread; for large amounts, the spread dominates.
  • Confusing reference rate with final price. The calculator shows the mid rate. The binding quote is the one the provider gives you when you operate — and it depends on time, amount, and channel (branch, ATM, app, window).
  • Using the conversion for tax decisions without validating. To report foreign currency operations to the tax authority you need the official rate published by your central bank on the date of the operation, not a generic reference rate.

Model limitations

  • The exchange rate shown is for reference, aggregated from public sources. It is not the rate applied by your bank or a specific exchange house.
  • Does not replace the official binding quote from your provider at the moment of operating.
  • Does not calculate operation taxes (transfer tax, withholdings, currency operation levies) that apply in some countries.
  • May not reflect real commissions — fixed or variable — your bank charges for the conversion or transfer.

When NOT to use this simulator

For large currency operations (international transfers above $10,000 USD equivalent), don't decide with this calculator as the only piece of evidence. Request a formal quote from at least 2 providers (your usual bank + a specialized service like Wise/Revolut Business) and compare the final rate you actually receive. For tax reporting use the official rate from your central bank on the operation date.

Frequently asked questions — currency converter

1Is the exchange rate the calculator uses the real one?
It is a reference rate aggregated from public sources, refreshed periodically. It is not the final rate your bank or exchange house will apply in a real operation: that usually includes a margin (spread) and possible fixed fees. Use the calculator to estimate; request a formal quote from your provider to close.
2What is spread?
Spread is the difference between the rate at which the provider buys a currency and the rate at which it sells it. For example, if the mid rate is 18.00 MXN/USD, the bank may buy at 17.80 and sell at 18.20. That difference is the provider's margin. Spreads range from 0.5% (wholesale operations) to 4% or more (airport exchange or international ATMs).
3Why do two banks give me different rates?
Each institution sets its own spread and operational costs. Large banks with their own currency operations usually offer better rates than retail banks. Specialized exchange houses, fintech services (Wise, Revolut), and remittance platforms can have low spreads but sometimes charge a fixed fee. For large amounts it's worth comparing at least 3 quotes.
4Does it work for reporting operations on my taxes?
Not directly. To report foreign currency operations to your country's tax authority you need the exchange rate officially published by your central bank on the operation date (DOF in Mexico, ECB in Europe, Banco de la República in Colombia, etc.). This calculator is illustrative; tax data comes from the official source.
5Does it work offline?
The calculation is done locally, but the exchange rate depends on being able to load the rates. The first time it requires connection; afterward the calculator caches rates in your browser and can operate offline with the latest available version. The update date is always shown so you know if rates are current.
6Why don't some exotic currencies appear?
The converter includes the most-used currencies in LATAM, North America, and Europe, plus some relevant Asian ones. Currencies with low volume (some African, micro-currencies, cryptocurrencies) are not covered because reference sources don't quote them reliably. For those you need a specialized provider.
7Does the calculator charge a commission for using it?
No. It is a free illustrative tool. It is not a currency exchange service: it does not process transactions, does not receive or send money, and does not generate any charge. It only calculates the mathematical conversion from reference rates.

Financial notice

The result is an illustrative estimate based on the data entered or the available reference exchange rate. It does not constitute financial, tax, accounting, or legal advice, nor an official operation quote. To close a currency operation, use the binding quote your bank or exchange house offers at the moment of operating.

Simúlalo is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by OANDA, Wise, Revolut, central banks, commercial banks, exchange houses, or any institution mentioned in the content. The exchange rates shown are for reference and do not imply a commercial relationship with any provider.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Simúlalo editorial team

This simulator was reviewed by the people listed below before being published. The review covers the declared formula, the model's assumptions, the explicit limitations, and the absence of unsupported financial claims.

They are part of the Simúlalo editorial team, focused on building financial tools that are clear, educational, and easy to interpret.

Last updated: We update this page when the methodology, sources used, or simulator structure change.

This tool uses standard financial formulas and user-supplied data. To explain concepts like rates, credit, risk, or cash flow we consult public and official sources (Banxico, SAT, CONDUSEF, CNBV, Banco de España, IFRS, BIS, among others). Simúlalo is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these institutions.

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