GBP
USDTransfer Money from United Kingdom to United States
Compare live GBP to USD rates from 7 FCA-regulated providers.
1 GBP = 1.3341 USD
Send 1,000 GBP
Best rate: 1,330.46 USD
via Currencies Direct (0.27% margin)
They receive approximately
USD 1,334.06
At mid-market rate. Provider rates shown below.
1.3305
via Currencies Direct
Seconds - 2 hrs
via Wise
None
via Currencies Direct
£56
vs typical UK bank
Compare GBP to USD Providers
Sending 1,000 GBP to United States. Rates are indicative and based on each provider's typical margin from the mid-market rate.
Currencies Direct
Top rated for this transferFee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,330.46
Key Currency
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,330.06
TorFX
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,329.66
XE
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,330.33
OFX
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,329.26
Wise
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,333.40
Western Union
Fee & Exchange Rate
You receive
USD 1,320.88
How we calculate rates: We show each provider's indicative exchange rate based on their typical margin from the live mid-market rate (1.3341 USD per GBP). Providers marked with an info icon offer bespoke quotes -- your actual rate may differ. We earn commissions when you use providers through our links. Read our editorial policy.
GBP/USD Exchange Rate Analysis
Rate trends, provider comparison, and cost breakdown for your 1,000 GBP transfer.
GBP/USD Rate History (30 Days)
Mid-market rate trend. Current rate: 1.3341
Provider Comparison (USD Received)
How much USD you receive from each provider. Grey bar = perfect mid-market rate (no margin).
Cost Breakdown: Currencies Direct
Total cost of this transfer: 0.27% of the mid-market value
Is Now a Good Time to Transfer GBP to USD?
How today's rate compares to the 12-month trend
12-Month Trend
The GBP/USD rate is 1.5% below the 12-month average. You may want to set a rate alert for a better rate.
Past performance does not indicate future rates. Exchange rates are affected by interest rate decisions, inflation data, political events, and market sentiment. This is for informational purposes only, not financial advice.
Deep Dive: Cost & Speed Analysis
Detailed breakdowns to help you choose the best provider for your transfer
Bank vs Specialist Savings
How much more USD you get using Currencies Direct vs a typical UK bank
1,255.19 USD
Rate: 1.2874 + £25 fee
1,330.46 USD
Rate: 1.3305 + no fee
Bank estimate based on typical UK high-street bank margin of 3.5% and £25 transfer fee. Actual bank costs vary. This is for illustrative purposes only.
Delivery Speed to United States
Estimated time for your transfer to arrive, from fastest to slowest
Cost by Transfer Amount
Total cost (in GBP) at different transfer sizes. Lower is better. Providers with flat fees become more competitive on larger amounts.
Key insight: Currencies Direct has zero fees and a tight margin, making it consistently competitive across all amounts. For transfers over £50,000, contact providers directly for a bespoke rate — it's nearly always better than the online price.
How to Transfer GBP to USD
Compare Rates Above
Use the provider cards above to see how much USD you'll receive for your GBP. The live mid-market rate is 1.3341 -- providers typically charge 0.05%-0.80% below this.
Create an Account
Sign up with your chosen provider. You will need valid photo ID and proof of address. Most providers verify you within minutes.
Send Your Transfer
Enter the amount in GBP, add your recipient's bank details in United States, and confirm. Funds typically arrive within 1-3 business days.
Learn More
How Transfers Work
SWIFT, correspondent banking, and settlement explained.
Mid-Market Rate Guide
What the mid-market rate is and why it matters.
Forward Contracts
Lock in today's rate for up to 24 months ahead.
FCA Regulation Guide
Why regulation matters for your transfers.
Hidden Costs of Transfers
How banks hide fees in exchange rate markups.
Buying Property Abroad
Currency management for overseas real estate.
All Provider Reviews
In-depth expert reviews of every listed provider.
Compare All Rates
Back to the homepage to compare a different corridor.
Key Facts: GBP to USD Transfers
Payment Network
Fedwire / ACH
Typical Speed
Same day - 2 business days
Currency Symbol
$ (USD)
Routing Number
Yes -- 9-digit ABA routing number required
Banking & Payment Details for United States
Transfers to the United States use either the Fedwire system (for same-day high-value transfers) or ACH (for lower-cost transfers within 1-2 business days). You will need your recipient's routing number (9 digits), account number, and the bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Some providers also support transfers to US Zelle-linked accounts.
Tips for Sending GBP to United States
The GBP/USD pair is the most traded Sterling cross -- competition keeps margins low.
ACH transfers are cheaper but take 1-2 days. Fedwire is same-day but may cost more.
If you're sending over $10,000 to the US, the recipient's bank is legally required to file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) with FinCEN.
For regular transfers (e.g. mortgage payments), set up a recurring transfer with your provider to save time.
Regulatory & Tax Considerations
Key rules and thresholds when transferring money between United Kingdom and United States
UK FCA Authorisation Required
All money transfer providers operating in the UK must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Authorised Payment Institution or Electronic Money Institution. Every provider in our comparison holds an active FCA authorisation. You can verify this at register.fca.org.uk.
UK: Transfers Over £10,000
UK money transfer providers are required to collect additional information for transfers over £10,000 under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. You may need to provide proof of source of funds (e.g. payslip, sale contract, bank statement). This is standard compliance -- not a sign of a problem.
Capital Gains on Currency Movements
If you hold a foreign currency balance and the exchange rate moves in your favour before converting back to GBP, any gain over the annual exempt amount (£3,000 for 2024/25) may be subject to Capital Gains Tax. This primarily affects people holding large amounts in foreign accounts.
US: Currency Transaction Reports (CTR)
US banks must file a Currency Transaction Report with FinCEN for cash deposits, withdrawals, or transfers exceeding $10,000 in a single day. This applies to the receiving bank in the US. Structuring transactions to avoid this threshold ("structuring") is a federal offence.
FATCA: Foreign Account Tax Compliance
US persons (citizens or residents) must report foreign financial accounts exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year (FBAR). The UK-US FATCA agreement means UK banks also report US account holders to the IRS.
This is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your circumstances.
GBP to USD Transfer FAQs
We're a comparison service, not financial advisors. The information above is for general guidance only. See our terms for full details.
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