FX Markup Calculator
A cost that never appears as a line item.
Exchange rates move constantly and no rate is stored here — enter the current mid-market rate from a source you trust. Everything below is arithmetic on the rate you provide.
FX markup
3%
2,403 a month at your volume
A 3% markup costs 28,838 a year at this volume, and it never appears as a line item on any statement. Above a few thousand a month it is worth negotiating explicitly or moving to a provider that charges a stated fee instead.
How the FX Markup Calculator works
An FX markup never appears as a line item on any statement, which is why it goes unexamined for years. Putting an annual figure on it is usually enough to justify a phone call to the provider or a move to one that charges openly.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the FX markup?
The gap between the mid-market rate and the rate you were offered, as a percentage of the mid-market rate. Multiply by your annual volume to get the cost.
What markup is typical?
Banks commonly take 2% to 4% on business transfers; card processors 1% to 4% on conversion. Specialist providers charge a stated fee at a much lower total.
Can it be negotiated?
Above a few tens of thousands a month, usually yes. Below that, switching provider is more effective than negotiating.
Why is it structured as a markup?
Because a fee invites comparison and a rate does not. That is the entire reason the practice persists.