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Currency conversion fee calculator
Enter the amount, the rate you were quoted and the fees your bank or card applies. The calculator shows what arrives after fees and the effective rate you actually pay.
Card and bank fees vary by provider, card type and country. This is a planning estimate, not a quote; check your card terms before you travel.
The rate is not the only cost
A card payment abroad has two prices: the exchange rate you see and the rate you actually get. The bank or card issuer usually applies a markup of one to three percent on the converted amount, and some add a flat fee per transaction.
This calculator applies the percentage to the amount, adds the fixed and ATM fees, and shows both the converted total at the quoted rate and the amount that remains after fees. The gap between the two is what the convenience costs you. The issuer markup is often hidden inside the rate rather than shown as a separate line.
Fixed fees dominate small amounts
Percentage fees scale with the amount, so they are easy to compare. Fixed fees do not: five dollars on a thousand is half a percent, but the same five dollars on a hundred is five percent. That is why several small withdrawals usually cost more than one larger one, even when the ATM fee looks modest.
The fee share line makes this visible. If it sits above roughly three percent, a different card, a local bank or a larger withdrawal is worth checking before you travel. Larger, less frequent withdrawals usually keep the share down.
Compare on the amount that arrives
Compare providers on the amount that actually arrives, not on the headline rate. A zero-commission service with a poor rate can cost more than a small commission at the mid-market rate. The effective rate here is the blended rate after every fee, which is the number to compare.
Watch for dynamic currency conversion at terminals and ATMs: choosing to pay in your home currency usually adds a markup on top of the issuer fee. Pay in the local currency and let the card network convert. The mid-market rate is the benchmark, not a rate any bank is obliged to offer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the quoted exchange rate the one I will get?
Not necessarily. The quoted rate is the starting point; the bank markup and fixed fees reduce what you actually receive. The effective rate output shows the blended rate after all the fees you entered.
Should I include the ATM fee in every withdrawal?
Yes, if the fee is charged per withdrawal. Run one calculation per withdrawal, or add the total ATM fees across the trip to the fixed fee field to see the overall cost.
What is a reasonable bank conversion fee?
Many travel cards charge nothing beyond the network rate, while ordinary cards commonly charge around three percent. Use the figure from your card terms rather than an average.
Does this cover dynamic currency conversion?
Not directly. If a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, that markup is separate. Decline it, pay in the local currency, and add any extra fee to the fixed fee field.