Read our guide on what you need to know about Xe's Currency Converter tool.

In this article, we’ll cover:

1. Can I check live exchange rates with Xe? 
2. How to use the Currency Converter
3. How to compare the rates for multiple currencies
4. Why can’t I send money using the rate I see on the converter? 
5. What's the best time of day to send money?

Can I check live exchange rates with Xe? 

Yes, you can! Head to the Xe website or app and choose the Convert tab to check the rates for your chosen currency pairing right now. It’s totally free to use. 

Want to know why you should use Xe’s Currency Converter? Here’s some of our key features: 

• You can check the rates for more than 170 currencies
 
• The rates are informed by data from live currency markets. This means the rates you see are accurate and up to the minute
 
• You know you’ll be getting the real rate of exchange

How to use the Currency Converter

Using the Convert tool in the Xe app:

1. Open the app and choose Convert from the bottom navigation bar
2. Click the dropdown to choose the currency you want
3. Tap the three vertical dots and select Pin to top to choose your base currency
4. Enter the amount you want to convert 
5. Click +Add currency to add another currency to the Convert page
6. Click View quote if you want to send money now

We recommend using the Xe app to convert and transfer money. Click the links below to download the Xe app:

Using the Convert tool in the Xe website:

Follow these steps and to check rates online. 

1. Head to Xe.com
2. Click on the Convert tab
3. Enter the Amount
4. Choose your From and To currency pairing
5. Click Convert

Ready to make a transfer? Follow these steps to send money today. 

How to compare the rates for multiple currencies

Using the Xe app

Follow these steps to compare multiple currencies in the Xe app:

1. Open the app and choose Convert from the bottom navigation bar. 
2. Click Add currency. You can add up to 20 currency pairings to the Convert page
3. To remove a currency, swipe left and hit delete, or tap one of your existing country flags to replace it with another. 
4. Tap the three vertical dots and select Pin to top to choose your base currency. 
5. Click the amount displayed to define how much you want to convert
6. Rates will update automatically for all currencies

On the Xe.com website

Follow these steps to compare multiple currencies on Xe.com:

1. Head to Xe.com
2. Go to the Convert tab
3. Scroll down to the Xe Live Exchange Rates table
4. Click the Add currency button  
5. Search for the currency you want (you can add up to 10)
6. Click the currency and add it to the table. 
7. To remove a currency, scroll to the top and hit the Edit button
8. Press the red button located next to the currency you wish to delete to remove it from the table. 
   
   

Why can’t I send money using the rate I see on the converter? 

We use the mid-market rate for our free information services, including for the currency converter tool, because it indicates the value of a currency and isn't weighted towards buying or selling.  

The mid-market rate is the mid-point between the rate a currency can be bought or sold at. These rates are not available to customers - not even Xe can buy currency at this rate.  

The send rate is the rate of exchange you'll receive when you send money with Xe. These are real-time rates, updated every 60 seconds during trading hours rates.

What's the best time of day to send money?

You might have heard that exchange rates are best in the mornings, but the truth is that that's not the case. No one has found any correlation between exchange rates and time of day.  

Exchange rates are impacted by different things happening all over the world - such as inflation, recessions and national disasters - but they aren't affected by the time of day. 

It’s also worth remembering that we're dealing with global markets. So, whilst it might be 8am for you, it could be 5pm in the country you’re planning to send money to.

The bottom line? There’s no need to wait for a specific time of day to check a rate.