Confusing exchange rates on bank screens and travel apps can silently erode hundreds of euros on a single transfer. The official European Central Bank reference rate sits at 0.8546 EUR per USD as of 30 April 2026—but what you’re actually offered by commercial providers often diverges from that figure.

4 related posts

EUR/USD Rate: 1 USD = 0.8546 EUR ·
ECB Update Time: Around 16:00 CET daily ·
Reference Source: European Central Bank

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Live rate as of 2 May 2026 not available in publicly cached data
  • Exact TARGET closing day schedule varies by year
3Timeline signal
  • EUR/RUB rate last published 1 March 2022 — suspended indefinitely due to market conditions (European Central Bank)
4What’s next
  • Commercial converters like Xe and Wise will continue mirroring ECB rates during business days (European Central Bank)
  • EUR/USD reached a recent high of 1.1974 on 28 January 2026 (European Central Bank)

The table below summarizes the key metrics for EUR/USD from ECB reference data.

Metric Value Source
Current EUR/USD (ECB) 1 USD = 0.8546 EUR IBAN converter (ECB rate)
ECB Update Time 16:00 CET on working days European Central Bank
Historical Data Range January 1999 – April 2026 Banque de France
EUR/USD Recent High 1.1974 (28 January 2026) European Central Bank
EUR/USD Recent Low 1.1106 (12 May 2025) European Central Bank
Top Sources ecb.europa.eu, xe.com ECB Data Portal

What is the current euro exchange rate?

The European Central Bank publishes official reference exchange rates every working day at around 16:00 CET. These rates are derived from a daily concertation procedure between European central banks at approximately 14:10–14:15 CET. The ECB’s EXR dataset serves as the primary source, with Bloomberg FX rates used as a secondary fallback when needed.

Using the rates for transaction purposes is strongly discouraged.

— European Central Bank, Official Reference Rates Policy

According to the ECB Data Portal, the official converter prioritizes ECB rates over Bloomberg rates in its logic.

EUR to USD

The EUR/USD pair is the most heavily traded currency pair globally, and the ECB publishes detailed historical data from January 1999 through April 2026 hosted by the Banque de France. Recent ECB data shows the USD/EUR rate at 1.1840 on 2 April 2026, with an average of 1.1629 over the measured period. The ECB USD reference rate hit a minimum of 1.1106 on 12 May 2025 and a maximum of 1.1974 on 28 January 2026.

What to watch

The ECB explicitly states that its rates are “published for information only” and using them “for transaction purposes is strongly discouraged.” For actual transfers, commercial providers like Wise or Revolut often offer more competitive rates than the ECB reference.

EUR to major currencies

Beyond the USD pair, the ECB publishes rates for over 30 currencies. The Exchange Rates UK provides live mid-market rates for pairs like GBP/EUR at 1.1484. The ECB maintains an official converter tool at its data portal that displays current rates alongside historical data, making it a reliable reference point for comparing commercial offers.

The verdict: For anyone exchanging euros—whether for business, travel, or investment—the gap between the official ECB rate and what commercial providers actually offer can silently erode value. Using the ECB as your reference benchmark, then comparing it against Wise or Revolut for actual transfers, is the most reliable way to ensure you’re not overpaying.

How much is 1 € worth currently?

Converting 1 euro to US dollars requires knowing the current rate. The IBAN converter shows 1 USD equals 0.8546 EUR based on the ECB rate as of 30 April 2026. This means 1 EUR equals approximately 1.17 USD at that point in time. Live commercial converters like Xe.com update continuously throughout the day, offering more real-time figures than the daily ECB reference.

1 EUR in USD

To convert 1 EUR to USD, divide 1 by the current EUR/USD rate. Using the ECB average of 1.1629, 1 EUR equals approximately $1.17 USD. For precise conversions, tools like IBAN’s converter calculate cross-currency pairs using ECB rates as the underlying base.

The upshot

Commercial platforms like Xe and Revolut often offer rates slightly better than the ECB reference, especially for mid-sized transfers. The gap between “mid-market rate” and what you actually receive can be 0.5–2% depending on the provider.

1 EUR in other currencies

The ECB publishes rates for dozens of currencies including GBP, JPY, CHF, and many emerging-market currencies. However, some currencies have been suspended. The ECB last published an EUR/RUB reference rate on 1 March 2022, with the European Central Bank stating it “is not in a position to set a reference rate that is representative of prevailing market conditions” due to trading activity in that market.

What this means: For eurozone businesses handling USD payments, the difference between a good rate and the ECB reference could represent thousands of euros annually on large transaction volumes.

What is the exchange rate of 1 euro to CFA franc?

The CFA franc used in West Africa (XOF) and Central Africa (XAF) is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate, though the exact conversion requires a specialized tool. For accurate EUR/XOF conversions, commercial converters like Xe.com and OANDA provide live rates. The ECB publishes indicative rates for many currencies, but for specific non-USD conversions like EUR/XOF, specialized forex platforms often provide more accessible interfaces.

EUR/XOF details

The West African CFA franc (XOF) is pegged at 655.957 XOF per euro through the BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest). This fixed rate means the XOF doesn’t fluctuate daily like floating currencies. For converting euros to XOF, the OANDA converter provides accessible tools, while the ECB’s official data portal covers the XOF rate among its published currencies.

What is the best euro exchange rate today?

The “best” rate depends on whether you’re exchanging cash, making a bank transfer, or converting online. Banks typically add 1–3% markup to the mid-market rate, while specialized services like Wise and Revolut often come closer to the actual market rate. For transparency, UK regulations require banks to display how their rates compare to the ECB reference.

Seeing TSB’s exchange rate of +0.21% in comparison to the European Central Bank rate should help you compare providers.

— TSB Bank, Currency Conversion Calculator

As TSB Bank demonstrates, some providers show their rate at a specific percentage above or below the ECB figure.

Compare providers

When comparing providers, look at the difference between their rate and the ECB mid-market rate. American Express UK displays the percentage difference from the ECB reference rate, helping customers understand whether they’re getting a favorable deal. According to Trading Economics, the euro has strengthened 1.55% over the past month and 3.75% over the last 12 months against the USD.

The catch

The ECB reference rate is not the rate you’ll receive when converting money. Providers like Wise use the mid-market rate as a base, then charge flat fees instead of percentage markups, often resulting in better value for amounts over €1,000.

Vacation change offers

For tourists exchanging cash at airports or kiosks, rates can be 3–5% worse than the ECB reference. Boursorama offers live quotes with tighter spreads than traditional bureau de change. If you’re traveling from the eurozone, comparing the ECB rate against your bank’s offering before departure can save significant money.

How much is 1 dollar worth for 1 €?

If you’re paying 1 euro for something priced in dollars, or vice versa, the conversion matters. Using the ECB rate of 1.1840 USD per EUR (from 2 April 2026), 1 euro buys approximately $1.18. The Revolut USD to EUR tool allows real-time conversions at rates close to the mid-market figure. However, card payments may include foreign transaction fees of 1–3% that aren’t reflected in the base exchange rate.

USD to EUR converter

To convert dollars to euros, divide the USD amount by the current EUR/USD rate. With an ECB rate of approximately 1.1629, $100 converts to roughly €86. For accurate, real-time conversions, Xe.com provides live rates updated second-by-second, while the OANDA converter offers historical rate analysis for those tracking trends.

The implication: Even a 0.5% difference on large transfers (over €5,000) can represent €25+ in savings—making the choice of provider consequential.

Comparing euro exchange rate providers

Three major providers offer different strengths for euro conversions, each with distinct fee structures.

Provider Rate Type Key Feature
Xe.com Live mid-market Second-by-second updates, large transfer limits
Wise Mid-market + flat fee Transparent pricing, no percentage markup
OANDA ECB-derived Historical data access, institutional-grade pricing
Boursorama Live commercial Tight spreads, European-focused service

The implication: Xe leads for speed and volume, Wise for cost transparency on smaller transfers, and OANDA for users needing historical analysis alongside current rates.

How to convert euros using ECB reference rates

Follow these steps to use official ECB data for accurate euro conversions.

  1. Find the ECB reference rate — Visit the European Central Bank’s exchange rate page for the latest daily reference rates, published at 16:00 CET.
  2. Identify your currency pair — Locate the specific currency you want to convert (e.g., USD, GBP, XOF) in the ECB published list.
  3. Use a commercial converter for transactions — For actual money transfers, go to Xe.com, Wise, or OANDA to see rates with actual fees included.
  4. Compare to ECB rate — Check what percentage difference the provider charges versus the ECB reference. TSB Bank shows an example of this comparison at +0.21%.
  5. Execute the transfer — Once satisfied with the rate, execute your conversion. For large amounts (over €5,000), even a 0.5% difference can represent €25+ in savings.

Upsides

  • ECB provides a free, authoritative reference point for all euro rates
  • Historical data available from January 1999 for trend analysis
  • Commercial converters like Wise often beat ECB rates for transfers
  • UK banks legally required to show ECB comparison for transparency

Downsides

  • ECB rates updated once daily—not suitable for real-time trading
  • ECB explicitly warns against using rates for transactions
  • Some currencies (RUB) suspended with no published rate since 2022
  • Bank markups can add 1–3% hidden cost to conversions

Related reading: Canadian Dollar to Mexican Peso Price Today – CAD/MXN Rate

Additional sources

questdb.com, fred.stlouisfed.org

Converters from Xe and OANDA complement ECB data for pairs like USD and GBP, where the live euro-pound exchange rate reveals intraday fluctuations across the Channel.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What are ECB exchange rates?

ECB exchange rates are official reference rates published daily by the European Central Bank based on concertation between European central banks. They serve as a benchmark for currency conversions and financial reporting, but the ECB explicitly states they should not be used for actual currency transactions. The rates are published at approximately 16:00 CET on working days, excluding TARGET closing days.

What is the euro exchange rate to pound?

The EUR/GBP rate varies daily. According to Exchange Rates UK, the GBP/EUR rate was approximately 1.1484 recently. For the most current EUR to GBP rate, check the ECB’s published rates or commercial converters like Xe.com.

What is the central bank exchange rate today?

The European Central Bank’s reference rates are updated daily at 16:00 CET on business days. You can find today’s rates on the ECB official page. Note that rates are not published on TARGET system closing days, which follow the European payment system calendar.

What are ECB historical exchange rates?

ECB historical data spans from January 1999 to the present. The Banque de France hosts open datasets of ECB USD/EUR rates covering this entire period. Historical rates for other currency pairs are available through the ECB Data Portal.

What is SEK to EUR rate?

The Swedish krona (SEK) to euro rate fluctuates daily based on market conditions. The ECB publishes SEK/EUR rates on its official page alongside other currencies. For real-time conversions, Xe.com and OANDA provide live rates updated throughout the trading day.

Should the euro go down or up?

Currency forecasts depend on interest rate differentials, economic data, and geopolitical factors. According to Trading Economics, the euro strengthened 1.55% over the past month and 3.75% over the last 12 months against the USD. However, predicting short-term movements is inherently uncertain, and the ECB explicitly advises against using its rates for speculative purposes.

Will the euro rise against the dollar in 2026?

The EUR/USD pair reached a recent high of 1.1974 on 28 April 2026 per ECB data, but future direction depends on Federal Reserve and ECB monetary policy decisions. Currency markets are influenced by interest rate expectations, inflation data, and economic growth projections, making specific 2026 forecasts speculative rather than factual.