CAD to USD Exchange Rate Calculator
Understanding the CAD to USD Exchange Rate
Calculating the exchange rate between Canadian Dollars (CAD) and United States Dollars (USD) is a fundamental skill for travelers, business owners, and investors. The exchange rate tells you how much one currency is worth in terms of another.
How to Calculate CAD to USD Manually
The formula to convert CAD to USD is straightforward. You multiply the amount of Canadian money you have by the current CAD/USD exchange rate.
CAD Amount × Exchange Rate = USD Amount
For example, if you have $500 CAD and the current exchange rate is 0.75 (meaning 1 CAD equals 0.75 USD), the calculation is:
- 500 CAD × 0.75 = 375 USD
How to Find the "Effective" Exchange Rate
If you have already performed a trade and want to know the rate you actually received (including bank fees and spreads), use the following formula:
USD Received ÷ CAD Spent = Exchange Rate
If you gave a bank $1,000 CAD and received $720 USD in return, your effective exchange rate was 0.72.
Factors Affecting the CAD/USD Rate
Several economic factors influence why these numbers change daily:
- Oil Prices: Since Canada is a major oil exporter, the CAD often rises when crude oil prices increase.
- Interest Rates: If the Bank of Canada raises rates faster than the Federal Reserve, the CAD typically strengthens.
- Trade Balance: The volume of goods traded between the two nations impacts currency demand.