Exchange Rate Markup Calculator
The interactive calculator loads here. It uses the mid-market rate (29 Sept 2026, European Central Bank reference data) or the live rate when available.
What an exchange-rate markup is
When you change money or pay abroad, the price is usually not a visible fee but a worse exchange rate. The provider takes the mid-market rate and shades it in its favour, then may add a fixed fee on top. This calculator compares the amount you actually received with what the same money is worth at the mid-market rate, and turns the difference into a percentage and a cost in your own currency.
How to use it
- Enter the amount you sent or paid, and the amount that arrived or that the provider quoted, after its fees.
- Add any separate fixed fee you paid in your own currency, such as a transfer fee.
- The calculator loads today's mid-market rate for the pair and shows the effective rate you got, the margin in percent, and the total cost.
Worked example
Suppose you exchange 1,000 US dollars and receive 880 euros, with no separate fee, on a day when the mid-market rate is 0.90 euros per dollar. At mid-market you would have received 900 euros. The 20-euro shortfall is a margin of about 2.2%, which cost you roughly 22 dollars. If the provider also charged a 5-dollar fee, the total cost would be about 27 dollars, or 2.7% of what you spent.
How to pay less
- Compare the final amount received from two or three providers, not the advertised fee.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion at card terminals and ATMs abroad; pay in the local currency.
- Use a card without foreign transaction fees for spending abroad, and withdraw larger amounts less often if your bank charges per withdrawal.
- Avoid exchanging at airports and hotels when you can plan ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mid-market rate?
The midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies on the wholesale market. It is the fairest reference, and it is what this site shows.
Is a 0% commission exchange really free?
Not usually. A provider with no commission can still build its profit into the exchange rate. The markup calculator reveals that hidden margin.
Why does my result differ slightly from my receipt?
Rates move during the day. The calculator uses the latest mid-market rate it can load, which may not be the rate at the exact minute of your transaction.