Currency Conversion Fee Calculator
Buying US, Australian, or Hong Kong stocks from the "wrong" currency almost always means converting money first — and the broker's FX spread is a real cost most fee comparisons ignore. Enter your amount and currency pair to see what each broker's markup actually costs.
Key Takeaways
- • The FX spread is separate from trading commissions — a "zero commission" broker can still cost you money through a wide currency conversion markup.
- • IBKR typically has one of the tightest spreads (well under 0.1%); retail-focused brokers like Futu, moomoo, Tiger, and Longbridge run 0.2–0.4%; bank counters and telegraphic transfers can run 2%+.
- • The cost is recurring — every time you fund your account or convert dividends back to your home currency, the spread applies again.
FX cost calculator
Your conversion
FX Cost
US$30.00
You Receive (HK$)
HK$77,766.00
Effective Rate vs Mid-Market
7.7766 (mid: 7.8000)
Broker FX Spread Comparisonfor US$10,000 → HKD
| Broker | Spread | FX Cost | You Receive (HK$) | vs Bank Wire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers (IBKR)Tightest | 0.05% | US$5.00 | HK$77,961.00 | +US$245.00 |
| Futu (HK) | 0.30% | US$30.00 | HK$77,766.00 | +US$220.00 |
| moomoo | 0.30% | US$30.00 | HK$77,766.00 | +US$220.00 |
| Longbridge | 0.30% | US$30.00 | HK$77,766.00 | +US$220.00 |
| Tiger Brokers | 0.35% | US$35.00 | HK$77,727.00 | +US$215.00 |
| Bank counter / telegraphic transfer | 2.50% | US$250.00 | HK$76,050.00 | — |
Spreads are indicative reference figures reviewed June 2026, based on typical publicly observed markups. Actual spreads vary by broker tier, currency pair, and promotion — always check the live FX conversion screen in your broker's app before converting.
How to minimise currency conversion costs
Hold a genuine multi-currency account
Brokers like IBKR and Futu let you hold cash balances in HKD, USD, and AUD simultaneously and only convert when you actually need to. This lets you batch conversions (e.g. once a quarter) instead of converting on every single trade, which reduces how often the spread eats into your money.
Compare the real conversion cost, not just the commission
A broker advertising "US$0 commission" trades can still be expensive if its FX spread is wide — the marketing focuses on the fee you notice, not the one buried in the exchange rate. Use the calculator above with your typical trade size to see the all-in cost before choosing a broker for cross-border investing.
Avoid bank telegraphic transfers for currency conversion
Traditional bank counters and telegraphic transfers typically apply the widest markup of any common conversion route, on top of a flat wire fee (often HK$100-200). Unless you specifically need a bank-to-bank transfer, converting inside your brokerage account is almost always cheaper.
Watch the dividend and sell-side conversion too
The spread applies both ways — converting your home currency into USD to buy, and converting USD back when you sell or receive dividends. If you plan to hold and reinvest in the same currency, you can skip the round-trip conversion entirely and save the spread twice.
Related Tools
Broker Fee Comparison Calculator
Compare trading commissions and platform fees — the cost that applies before you even touch FX.
HK Monthly Stock Savings Plan Comparison
If you fund a monthly savings plan in a different currency, FX spread compounds with every contribution.
Cross-Border Stock Buying Guide & Cost Calculator
Full cross-border cost breakdown — HK-direct vs ADR route, including the FX layer covered here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a broker FX conversion fee?+
It is the markup a broker adds on top of the mid-market exchange rate when you convert currency to buy foreign stocks. Most brokers don't itemise an "FX fee" — they just quote a slightly worse rate than the interbank mid-market rate and keep the difference. That difference is the spread.
Which broker has the tightest FX spread?+
IBKR is widely regarded as having one of the tightest FX spreads among brokers accessible from Hong Kong, typically well under 0.1%, since it routes conversions through the interbank market. Retail-focused brokers like Futu, moomoo, Tiger, and Longbridge usually apply a wider markup, and bank counters or telegraphic transfers tend to be the most expensive route.
How much does a 0.3% FX spread cost on a US$10,000 trade?+
US$10,000 x 0.3% = US$30 lost to the spread on that single conversion. It sounds small, but if you fund your account or rebalance monthly, that cost repeats every time — US$30/month works out to US$360/year just to move money into the currency you're trading in.
How can I reduce currency conversion costs?+
Use a broker with a genuinely tight spread (compare the real conversion cost, not just headline trading commissions), hold a multi-currency account so you convert in bulk rather than per trade, avoid bank telegraphic transfers, and watch out for "zero-commission" marketing that hides the real cost inside a wider spread.
Does the HKD/USD peg mean there is no FX cost between them?+
No. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar within a narrow band (around 7.75-7.85), but that peg limits how far the exchange rate can move — it does not stop your broker from applying a spread on top of it. You can still lose money to markup converting HKD to USD even though the underlying rate barely moves.
FX spreads shown are indicative reference figures for comparison purposes only and may not reflect the latest broker pricing. Always verify the live exchange rate on your broker's conversion screen before converting. This tool does not constitute financial advice. moomoo and TradingView are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you.