How we source our exchange rates
Where our numbers come from, how often they update, and what they do — and don’t — mean for you.
Trust in a currency site comes down to one question: where do the numbers come from? Here is exactly how CurrencyRates.org sources and presents its rates.
Our data source
Our exchange rates are the official reference rates published by the European Central Bank (ECB). They are among the most widely trusted, transparent benchmark rates in the world, used by institutions and publications globally.
How often rates update
The ECB publishes reference rates once every business day, at around 4:00pm Central European Time. Our converter reflects the latest published set, and each result shows the date it was last updated. Rates are not refreshed on weekends or Eurosystem holidays, because the source itself does not update then.
What the “mid-market rate” means
The rate we show is the mid-market rate — also called the interbank or spot rate. It is the midpoint between the buy and sell price of a currency on the global market, and it carries no markup. It is the fairest, most neutral rate that exists.
Important: the mid-market rate is a benchmark, not a quote. When you actually convert or send money, banks and providers add a margin to this rate, and sometimes a fee, so you will receive slightly less. That gap is exactly what our guides help you minimise.
How we evaluate transfer providers
In our money-transfer guides, we compare each provider against the mid-market rate on the same day, add in any transfer fees, and calculate the true cost of sending a set amount. We rank on the total a recipient actually receives — not on brand, and not on how much a provider pays us.
Corrections
If you ever spot a rate or figure that looks off, please let us know. We take accuracy seriously and will correct genuine errors promptly.