Euro (EUR)
British Pound (GBP)
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Australian Dollar (AUD)
Swiss Franc (CHF)
I have USD, I want Foreign Currency
I have Foreign Currency, I want USD
Market Mid-Rate (Est):–
Customer Rate (with Spread):–
Estimated Spread Cost:–
Total You Receive:–
*Note: This calculator estimates exchange rates based on typical major bank spreads (approx 5-8%). Real-time rates at U.S. Bank branches or online banking may vary.
Understanding US Bank Exchange Rates
When planning international travel or sending money abroad, understanding how major financial institutions like U.S. Bank calculate exchange rates is crucial for your budget. Unlike the "mid-market" rates often seen on Google or news sites, consumer bank rates include a margin or "spread" to cover service costs and market volatility.
How the Exchange Rate is Calculated
The rate you receive at a bank counter is typically derived from the wholesale interbank rate plus a markup. This calculator helps you estimate the actual cost by factoring in this spread.
Buy Rate: The rate the bank charges you to convert USD into foreign currency (e.g., buying Euros for a trip). This is usually lower than the market rate (you get fewer Euros per Dollar).
Sell Rate: The rate the bank gives you when converting foreign currency back to USD. This is usually higher than the market rate (it costs more Euros to buy back one Dollar).
Common Currency Spreads
While U.S. Bank and other major American banks do not always publish their exact spreads publicly for all tiers, typical retail margins range from:
Major Currencies (EUR, GBP, CAD): Often 4% to 7%.
Exotic Currencies: Can range from 8% to 12% due to lower liquidity.
Tips for Better Exchange Rates
To maximize the value of your currency exchange:
Order Online: Many banks offer slightly better rates if you order foreign currency through their online portal for branch pickup.
Avoid Airports: Airport kiosks often charge spreads upwards of 12-15%, significantly higher than your local bank branch.
Check "Buy Back" Programs: Some banks offer programs to buy back unused currency at a competitive rate if you keep your original receipt.
Using This Calculator
This tool allows you to input a custom "Spread/Markup" percentage. If you are unsure, leave the default at 6.5%, which is a conservative estimate for over-the-counter transactions at major US financial institutions. Adjust the amount and currency to see exactly how much foreign cash you will pocket or how much USD you will receive upon return.
function calculateExchangeRate() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchangeAmount').value);
var currency = document.getElementById('currencySelect').value;
var direction = document.getElementById('exchangeDirection').value;
var markupPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('markupRate').value);
// 2. Validate Inputs
if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid positive amount to exchange.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(markupPercent) || markupPercent < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid markup percentage.");
return;
}
// 3. Define Approximate Mid-Market Rates (Base USD = 1)
// These are static approximations for demonstration logic
var rates = {
'EUR': 0.92, // 1 USD = 0.92 EUR
'GBP': 0.79, // 1 USD = 0.79 GBP
'CAD': 1.36, // 1 USD = 1.36 CAD
'JPY': 150.50, // 1 USD = 150.50 JPY
'MXN': 17.10, // 1 USD = 17.10 MXN
'AUD': 1.52, // 1 USD = 1.52 AUD
'CHF': 0.88 // 1 USD = 0.88 CHF
};
var midRate = rates[currency];
var spreadDecimal = markupPercent / 100;
var customerRate = 0;
var finalAmount = 0;
var spreadCost = 0;
var outputSymbol = "";
var inputSymbol = "";
// 4. Calculate based on Direction
if (direction === 'buy') {
// User has USD, Wants Foreign.
// Bank takes a fee, so user gets LESS foreign currency than mid-market.
// Formula: MidRate * (1 – Spread)
customerRate = midRate * (1 – spreadDecimal);
finalAmount = amount * customerRate;
// The cost is the difference between what they got and what they would have got at mid-market
var perfectAmount = amount * midRate;
spreadCost = perfectAmount – finalAmount;
inputSymbol = "USD";
outputSymbol = currency;
} else {
// User has Foreign, Wants USD.
// User needs to give MORE foreign currency to get 1 USD, or gets LESS USD for their Foreign.
// Let's calculate how much USD they get for the input Foreign Amount.
// Mid-market conversion to USD = Amount / midRate.
// Bank takes fee, so they get LESS USD.
var perfectUSD = amount / midRate;
var customerUSD = perfectUSD * (1 – spreadDecimal);
finalAmount = customerUSD;
customerRate = finalAmount / amount; // The effective rate (USD per 1 unit of Foreign)
spreadCost = perfectUSD – finalAmount; // Cost in USD
inputSymbol = currency;
outputSymbol = "USD";
}
// 5. Update UI
var resultContainer = document.getElementById('resultContainer');
resultContainer.style.display = "block";
// Format numbers clearly
document.getElementById('midRateDisplay').innerHTML = "1 USD = " + midRate.toFixed(4) + " " + currency;
if (direction === 'buy') {
document.getElementById('customerRateDisplay').innerHTML = "1 USD = " + customerRate.toFixed(4) + " " + currency;
document.getElementById('spreadCostDisplay').innerHTML = spreadCost.toFixed(2) + " " + currency + " (value lost to fees)";
document.getElementById('finalAmountDisplay').innerHTML = finalAmount.toFixed(2) + " " + outputSymbol;
} else {
document.getElementById('customerRateDisplay').innerHTML = "1 " + currency + " = " + customerRate.toFixed(4) + " USD";
document.getElementById('spreadCostDisplay').innerHTML = spreadCost.toFixed(2) + " USD (value lost to fees)";
document.getElementById('finalAmountDisplay').innerHTML = finalAmount.toFixed(2) + " " + outputSymbol;
}
}