International transfer cost calculator
Banks often advertise "no fee" transfers and make their money on the exchange rate. Enter the numbers from two quotes to see the full cost of each, in pounds.
Example values are illustrative only. Get live quotes from each provider and today's mid-market rate before you compare. Your numbers stay in your browser.
How the hidden cost works
If the mid-market rate is 1.15 and your bank offers 1.115, it is paying out about 3% less than the market rate. On £1,000 your recipient gets €1,115 instead of €1,150. That €35 (around £30) is a fee in all but name, even when the bank says the transfer is free.
Read our guides to the best way to send money abroad and the cheapest way to send money abroad, or see what your own bank charges: HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds & Halifax.
FAQ
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
It is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices on global currency markets, the rate you see on Google or Reuters. Most banks pay out at a worse rate and keep the difference. That difference is the markup.
How do I find a provider’s markup?
Compare the rate the provider quotes you with the mid-market rate at the same moment. Markup % = (mid-market rate − provider rate) ÷ mid-market rate × 100.