Currency % Change
The percentage move in an exchange rate between two points in time.
Formula
Variables
Example
1.10 → 1.15: (0.05/1.10) = +4.5%
How it works
This formula tells you how much an exchange rate has moved relative to where it started, expressed as a percentage of the original rate. It works by taking the change in the rate (new minus old) and dividing by the old rate, so the result measures the move in proportion to the starting value rather than in raw units. A positive answer means the rate increased; a negative answer means it fell.
When to use it
Use this when comparing currency exchange rates across time, such as checking how much EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, or any other FX pair has risen or fallen over a day, week, or month. It is also useful in trading, reporting, and performance analysis where you need a percentage move rather than an absolute price difference.
Worked example, step by step
Old rate = 0.92 New rate = 0.98 Step 1: Find the change: 0.98 - 0.92 = 0.06 Step 2: Divide by the old rate: 0.06 / 0.92 = 0.0652 Step 3: Convert to a percentage: 0.0652 × 100% = 6.52% Final answer: the exchange rate changed by +6.52%
Common mistakes to avoid
- Dividing by the new rate instead of the old rate
- Forgetting to multiply by 100% at the end
- Mixing up the sign and reporting an increase as a decrease
Did You Know?
Because rates are relative, one currency’s rise is always another’s fall by a matching amount.
Share this formula
More in Currency & Forex
View allCurrency Conversion
BasicConvert an amount from one currency to another using the quoted exchange rate.
Inverse Exchange Rate
BasicFlip a quoted rate to express it from the other currency’s point of view.
Cross Rate
IntermediateDerive the exchange rate between two currencies via a common third currency.
Bid-Ask Spread
IntermediateThe gap between the price to buy and to sell a currency — the dealer’s markup.
Spread Percentage
IntermediateThe bid-ask spread expressed as a percentage of the ask price.
Pip Value
IntermediateThe monetary value of a one-pip move for a given trade size.