Why does a transfer with no fee still cost something?

Because the cost can be inside the rate. A provider that converts your money at a rate a little worse than the mid-market rate keeps the difference, and that difference is not shown as a fee. On a large transfer it is usually the bigger of the two costs.

Where do I find the rate I was offered?

On the quote screen, before you confirm. If it shows only what the recipient will get, divide that by the amount being converted, which is what you send less the fee.

Is the reference rate live?

No. It is the European Central Bank's reference rate from the date shown beside the result, captured when this page was built. Rates move every day, so compare a quote against a reference rate from the same day, or the margin shown will be partly the market moving.

Converters

International transfer cost calculator

What sending money abroad costs once the fee and the exchange rate are added together, from the rate you were quoted and the fee you were shown.

You send

Everything you pay, with the fee included.

From

Fee, in USD

The fee the provider states. Enter 0 if it says there is none.

Rate offered: 1 USD in EUR

An example, 3% below the reference rate. Replace it with the rate you were quoted.

Estimated cost of this transfer

$34.85

3.48% of the $1,000.00 you send · they receive €861.28, against €892.38 at the reference rate

Stated fee: $5.00
Lost to the rate: $29.85
Rate margin: 3.00%
They receive: €861.28
Short by: €31.10

An estimate. The fee and the rate offered are your own figures. The reference rate, 1 USD = 0.89238 EUR, is the European Central Bank reference rate published on 2026-10-09. It is not live. Rates move every day, so a quote from a different day will show a margin that is partly just the market moving. Fees taken by the receiving bank, and any charge for paying by card, are not included. The European Central Bank’s own page has the current figures.

Questions

Why does a transfer with no fee still cost something?: Because the cost can be inside the rate. A provider that converts your money at a rate a little worse than the mid-market rate keeps the difference, and that difference is not shown as a fee. On a large transfer it is usually the bigger of the two costs.
Where do I find the rate I was offered?: On the quote screen, before you confirm. If it shows only what the recipient will get, divide that by the amount being converted, which is what you send less the fee.
Is the reference rate live?: No. It is the European Central Bank's reference rate from the date shown beside the result, captured when this page was built. Rates move every day, so compare a quote against a reference rate from the same day, or the margin shown will be partly the market moving.