Calculate how much your recipient will receive after fees and exchange rates.
Total funds leaving your account (Source Currency)
1 Unit Source = X Units Target (e.g., 1 USD = 0.85 EUR)
Flat fee charged by provider (in Source Currency)
Percentage fee deducted from amount (optional)
Please enter valid positive numbers for Amount and Exchange Rate.
Recipient Receives
0.00
Total Fees Deducted (Source Currency)
0.00
Amount Actually Converted
0.00
Effective Exchange Rate
0.0000
function calculateTransfer() {
// Get input values using var
var sendAmount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('sendAmount').value);
var exchangeRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchangeRate').value);
var fixedFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fixedFee').value);
var percentFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('percentFee').value);
var errorMsg = document.getElementById('errorMsg');
var resultContainer = document.getElementById('resultContainer');
// Reset error state
errorMsg.style.display = 'none';
resultContainer.style.display = 'none';
// Validation logic
if (isNaN(sendAmount) || sendAmount <= 0) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Please enter a valid amount to send.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (isNaN(exchangeRate) || exchangeRate <= 0) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Please enter a valid exchange rate.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Handle optional fees defaulting to 0 if empty or NaN
if (isNaN(fixedFee)) fixedFee = 0;
if (isNaN(percentFee)) percentFee = 0;
// Core Calculation Logic
// 1. Calculate variable fee amount
var variableFeeAmount = sendAmount * (percentFee / 100);
// 2. Calculate total fees (Fixed + Variable)
var totalFees = fixedFee + variableFeeAmount;
// 3. Calculate the remaining amount to be converted
var amountToConvert = sendAmount – totalFees;
// Check if fees exceed the sending amount
if (amountToConvert <= 0) {
errorMsg.innerText = "Total fees exceed the amount you are sending. Please increase the amount.";
errorMsg.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// 4. Calculate final amount recipient gets
var recipientReceives = amountToConvert * exchangeRate;
// 5. Calculate effective rate (What you actually got per unit sent)
var effectiveRate = recipientReceives / sendAmount;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('finalAmount').innerText = recipientReceives.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('totalFees').innerText = totalFees.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('convertedAmount').innerText = amountToConvert.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('effectiveRate').innerText = effectiveRate.toFixed(6);
resultContainer.style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding Currency Transfer Rates
When sending money internationally, the "headline" exchange rate you see on Google or financial news sites (often called the mid-market rate) is rarely the rate you actually get. Banks and transfer services typically apply two types of costs: visible fees and hidden exchange rate markups. This Currency Transfer Rate Calculator helps you decipher the true cost of your remittance by breaking down these components.
How Transfer Costs are Calculated
The total cost of an international transfer is composed of the upfront fee and the exchange rate margin. To understand how much your recipient will truly receive, you must account for both:
Fixed Transfer Fee: A flat fee charged by the provider for processing the transaction (e.g., 20 units of your currency).
Variable Fee (%): A commission based on the total amount you are sending (e.g., 1% of the transfer value).
Exchange Rate Margin: The difference between the mid-market rate and the rate the provider offers you. While this isn't an explicit "fee," it reduces the amount of currency your recipient gets.
What is the Effective Exchange Rate?
The most important metric in currency transfers is the Effective Exchange Rate. This is calculated by dividing the final amount the recipient receives by the total amount you sent. It accounts for all fees and rate markups.
For example, if you send 1,000 USD and the recipient gets 800 EUR, your effective rate is 0.80. Even if the quoted exchange rate was 0.85, the fees reduced the real value of your transfer. Always compare providers based on the effective rate or the "Recipient Receives" amount rather than just the advertised exchange rate.
Why Do Banks Have Different Rates?
Banks and specialized money transfer operators (MTOs) buy currency at wholesale rates. They then sell it to consumers at a retail rate. The gap between these two numbers is the "spread." Traditional banks often have higher fixed fees and wider spreads, whereas digital-first transfer services often provide rates closer to the mid-market rate with lower fees. Using a calculator helps you audit these offers side-by-side.
Tips for Better Transfer Rates
Check the Mid-Market Rate: Use an independent source to find the current market rate before accepting a quote.
Avoid Small Transfers: Fixed fees disproportionately eat into small amounts. Sending larger amounts less frequently often results in a better effective rate.
Compare Total Cost: Don't be fooled by "Zero Fee" claims if the exchange rate offered is poor. The hidden markup can often cost more than a fixed fee.