Money · Credit cards
Foreign transaction fee calculator.
Enter a US-dollar purchase and each card's fee percent. See the fee in Canadian dollars, your effective exchange rate, and which card costs less.
Purchase and cards
Result
Enter an amount and a fee to see the result.
How the math works
Converted amount (CAD) = purchase × exchange rate. Fee (CAD) = converted amount × fee percent ÷ 100. Total charged = converted amount + fee. Effective rate = total charged ÷ purchase, which is the rate you really paid per unit of foreign currency.
Worked example. A US$100 purchase at 1.4188 converts to C$141.88. With a 2.5% fee that is C$3.55 of fee, a total of C$145.43, and an effective rate of 1.4543. A card with a 0% fee costs C$141.88, so the difference is C$3.55. The 2.5% is only an example input.
The result is a reference estimate. Your issuer converts at its own rate on the day the purchase is processed, which may differ from the Bank of Canada daily average. Some cards also charge a separate fee on cash advances or ATM use, which this page does not cover. Enter the rate from your statement for an exact figure.
FAQ
Where do I find my card's foreign transaction fee?
In your cardholder agreement or the issuer's fee schedule. It varies by card, so this page asks you to type it in.
Is the Bank of Canada rate what my card uses?
Not exactly. It is a neutral daily average used here as a default. Replace it with your statement rate to be exact.
Does the fee apply to purchases priced in CAD from foreign merchants?
Often yes, when the merchant is outside Canada. Check your agreement.
Rate source
Checked
- Bank of Canada Valet API, series FXUSDCAD (daily average USD in CAD). The page fetches the latest observation live and shows its date. If the fetch fails it uses a saved value of 1.4188 for 2026-09-29.
- Bank of Canada terms of use.
Card fee percentages are entered by you; none is published or assumed here.
Scope
Estimates for comparison only, not financial advice. Your statement is the authority on what you were charged.