Live exchange rates today

The mid-market rate is the midpoint between what buyers and sellers are quoting for a currency pair on the interbank market — the rate you'd see on a financial terminal, with no margin applied. It's the honest reference point for judging any quote you're given. A bank's retail rate is typically 2–4% worse than mid-market, and that difference is the bank's revenue on your transfer.

The rates on this page are refreshed through the day from European Central Bank reference data. Currency markets trade 24 hours from Sunday evening to Friday evening, so the mid-market rate moves continuously during the week and is static over the weekend.

No provider trades at pure mid-market — that's the wholesale rate, not a retail one. What differs is how much sits between the two. We apply a small margin disclosed before you confirm, rather than building 2–4% into the rate and calling it fee-free. Pricing improves as the transfer size increases, so request a live quote for the amount you're actually moving.

Because the bank's margin is inside the rate rather than shown as a line item. A transfer advertised as having no fee usually carries a 2–4% spread — on £50,000 that's £1,000–£2,000 you never see itemised. Comparing the rate you were quoted against the mid-market figures above is the quickest way to see what a transfer is really costing you.

Yes. A forward contract locks today's rate for a payment up to 24 months ahead, which matters when you've committed to a price now — a property completion, a tuition schedule, a supplier contract — but pay in a currency that could move against you before settlement.