Enter the current street rate (Dólar Blue) manually as it changes daily.
Amount Converted:–
Exchange Rate Used:–
Result: –
function updateLabels() {
var mode = document.getElementById('calcMode').value;
var amountLabel = document.getElementById('amountLabel');
if (mode === 'usd_to_ars') {
amountLabel.innerText = "Amount in USD";
} else {
amountLabel.innerText = "Amount in ARS (Pesos)";
}
}
function calculateBlueRate() {
var mode = document.getElementById('calcMode').value;
var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('inputAmount').value);
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('exchangeRate').value);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var displayAmount = document.getElementById('displayAmount');
var displayRate = document.getElementById('displayRate');
var finalResult = document.getElementById('finalResult');
if (isNaN(amount) || amount <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid positive amount.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(rate) || rate <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid exchange rate.");
return;
}
var calculatedValue = 0;
var currencySymbol = "";
var inputSymbol = "";
if (mode === 'usd_to_ars') {
// Converting USD to ARS (Multiplication)
calculatedValue = amount * rate;
currencySymbol = " ARS";
inputSymbol = " USD";
} else {
// Converting ARS to USD (Division)
calculatedValue = amount / rate;
currencySymbol = " USD";
inputSymbol = " ARS";
}
// Formatting numbers
var formattedResult = calculatedValue.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 });
var formattedAmount = amount.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 });
var formattedRate = rate.toLocaleString('en-US', { minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2 });
displayAmount.innerText = formattedAmount + inputSymbol;
displayRate.innerText = formattedRate + " ARS/USD";
finalResult.innerText = formattedResult + currencySymbol;
resultBox.style.display = "block";
}
Understanding the Dólar Blue in Argentina
The "Dólar Blue" (Blue Dollar) is the most relevant unofficial exchange rate in Argentina. Due to strict currency controls imposed by the government on the official market, a parallel market has emerged where physical US dollar bills are bought and sold at a floating market rate. This calculator helps you estimate the value of your money when navigating this parallel market.
Important: The Blue Rate fluctuates daily, and sometimes hourly. Unlike the official rate fixed by the Central Bank, the Blue Rate is determined by supply and demand in the informal market.
Why Use a Blue Rate Calculator?
If you are traveling to Argentina or receiving payments from abroad, using the official exchange rate can result in receiving significantly fewer Argentine Pesos (ARS) for your Dollars (USD). The gap between the official rate and the Blue rate, known as the "brecha," can often exceed 100%.
Tourists: Calculating the Blue rate helps you budget your trip accurately. Prices in pesos may seem high at the official rate but become very affordable when calculated at the Blue rate.
Expats & Freelancers: Understanding the real-world purchasing power of your income requires converting at the street value, not the bank value.
How the Calculation Works
The math behind the currency conversion depends on the direction of your trade:
1. Selling USD (Getting Pesos)
If you bring physical US 100-dollar bills to Argentina, you are "selling" dollars. To calculate how many pesos you will receive:
Formula: Amount in USD × Blue Buy Rate = Total Pesos
Example: You have $100 USD and the Blue rate is 1,150 ARS.
$100 × 1,150 = 115,000 ARS.
2. Buying USD (Spending Pesos)
If you have excess Argentine Pesos and want to convert them back to US Dollars for savings, you are "buying" dollars.
Formula: Amount in ARS ÷ Blue Sell Rate = Total USD
Example: You have 200,000 ARS and the rate is 1,200 ARS.
200,000 ÷ 1,200 = $166.67 USD.
Common Terminology
Cuevas: Informal exchange houses where Blue Dollar transactions take place. They are often disguised as other businesses or hidden in offices.
Arbolitos: Street money changers who shout "Cambio! Cambio!" in tourist areas like Florida Street in Buenos Aires.
Cara Grande vs. Cara Chica: In the Blue market, newer $100 bills (blue stripe or large head) are preferred. Older "small head" bills are often exchanged at a 3-5% lower rate.
Using Western Union vs. Blue Dollar
While the Blue Dollar refers to cash exchanges, Western Union in Argentina often offers a rate very close to the Blue rate (sometimes called the CCL or MEP rate). This is a popular, legal alternative for tourists to get a high exchange rate without carrying large amounts of cash across the border. Always compare the "Blue" rate input in this calculator with the current Western Union offer.