CNY to USD — Convert Chinese Yuan
to US Dollars
On a large transfer, the margin costs more than the timing.
CNY
USD
Mid-market rate shown for reference. Transfer rates include a margin.
What is the CNY to USD exchange rate — and what will you actually get?
The live mid-market rate is shown in the converter above and is fetched fresh each time this page loads. But the mid-market rate is not the rate you will be offered. It is the midpoint of the interbank market — a reference figure that nobody actually transacts at. Every provider adds a margin to it.
Two costs, and only one is under your control
CNY/USD involves an emerging-market currency. It is more volatile than a G10 pair and it is priced more widely at retail: a bank will commonly take 3% to 5% on a large transfer, against 0.5% to 1% at a specialist broker. The rate may move for or against you — nobody can tell you which. The margin moves against you every single time.
We will not pretend to forecast this pair. What we can say is that the margin is a certainty and the rate move is not, so the margin is where the attention belongs. On the equivalent of £250,000, the gap between a 4% bank margin and a 0.6% specialist margin is roughly £8,500.
Cambridge Currencies arranges payments through FCA-authorised partners — Currencycloud (FRN 900199) and ScioPay (FRN 927951) — with client funds safeguarded in line with UK rules. This is general guidance, not a personal recommendation.
What the margin costs on a large CNY to USD transfer
A margin is a percentage of the amount, so this table holds true wherever the exchange rate sits. It compares a typical bank margin (4%) with a specialist margin (0.6%).
| Amount converted | Lost to a 4% bank margin | Lost to a 0.6% specialist margin | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN¥100,000 | CN¥4,000 | CN¥600 | CN¥3,400 |
| CN¥250,000 | CN¥10,000 | CN¥1,500 | CN¥8,500 |
| CN¥500,000 | CN¥20,000 | CN¥3,000 | CN¥17,000 |
| CN¥1,000,000 | CN¥40,000 | CN¥6,000 | CN¥34,000 |
| CN¥2,500,000 | CN¥100,000 | CN¥15,000 | CN¥85,000 |
| CN¥5,000,000 | CN¥200,000 | CN¥30,000 | CN¥170,000 |
Illustrative, based on typical margins. Your actual rate depends on the amount, the pair and market conditions. Get a personalised quote to see your exact rate.
Chinese Yuan to US Dollars — Conversion Table
Recalculated from the live mid-market rate each time this page loads. Reference figures only — your transfer rate will include a margin.
Chinese Yuan to US Dollars
| CNY | USD |
|---|---|
| CN¥1 | $0.15 |
| CN¥5 | $0.74 |
| CN¥10 | $1.48 |
| CN¥25 | $3.69 |
| CN¥50 | $7.39 |
| CN¥100 | $14.77 |
| CN¥250 | $36.93 |
| CN¥500 | $73.87 |
| CN¥1,000 | $147.74 |
| CN¥5,000 | $738.68 |
| CN¥10,000 | $1,477.37 |
| CN¥25,000 | $3,693.41 |
| CN¥50,000 | $7,386.83 |
| CN¥100,000 | $14,773.65 |
| CN¥500,000 | $73,868.26 |
US Dollars to Chinese Yuan
| USD | CNY |
|---|---|
| $1 | CN¥6.77 |
| $5 | CN¥33.84 |
| $10 | CN¥67.69 |
| $25 | CN¥169.22 |
| $50 | CN¥338.44 |
| $100 | CN¥676.88 |
| $250 | CN¥1,692.20 |
| $500 | CN¥3,384.40 |
| $1,000 | CN¥6,768.81 |
| $2,500 | CN¥16,922.02 |
| $5,000 | CN¥33,844.04 |
| $10,000 | CN¥67,688.07 |
| $25,000 | CN¥169,220.18 |
| $50,000 | CN¥338,440.35 |
| $100,000 | CN¥676,880.70 |
What moves CNY/USD
Emerging-market risk premium
This currency carries a risk premium that G10 currencies do not. Capital flows in and out faster, and moves can be larger and sharper than on a major pair.
The dollar cycle
Emerging-market currencies are highly sensitive to the US dollar. A stronger dollar and higher US rates tend to pull capital out; a weaker dollar tends to do the reverse.
Domestic policy and inflation
The local central bank’s rate path and inflation record drive confidence in the currency. Credibility, once lost, is expensive to rebuild.
Wider retail spreads
Liquidity is thinner than on a G10 pair, so banks and apps price the risk in. This is why retail margins on this pair are wider than on EUR/USD.
Converting Chinese Yuan to US Dollars?
Every transfer is arranged by phone with a dedicated specialist — a dealer, not an app. Get a firm, dealable rate and compare it against your bank.
CNY to USD — FAQs
What is the CNY to USD exchange rate?
The live mid-market rate is shown in the converter at the top of this page and refreshes each time the page loads. It is a reference midpoint, not a dealable rate — what you actually receive depends on the margin your provider applies: typically 3% to 5% at a bank, against 0.5% to 1% at a specialist broker.
Is a specialist broker cheaper than a bank for CNY to USD?
For transfers above roughly the equivalent of £5,000, almost always. CNY/USD involves an emerging-market currency, so retail spreads are wider than on a G10 pair: a bank will commonly take 3% to 5% on a large transfer, against 0.5% to 1% at a specialist broker. The mid-market rate is the same for everyone — the margin is not.
Should I wait for a better CNY to USD rate?
We will not tell you where CNY/USD is going. Emerging-market currencies can move sharply and in ways nobody forecasts reliably. What can be said is that the margin is a known, immediate and certain cost, whereas a favourable rate move is neither — it may never arrive. Securing a tighter margin is the one saving fully within your control. This is general guidance, not a personal recommendation.
How much will the margin cost me?
It scales with the amount, because a margin is a percentage. On CN¥1,000,000, a 4% bank margin costs roughly CN¥40,000 against about CN¥6,000 at a 0.6% specialist margin — a difference of around CN¥34,000 on a single transfer.
Can I fix a rate for a future payment?
Yes. A forward contract fixes today’s rate for a transfer settling up to 12 months ahead, typically for a deposit of 5–10% of the contract value. It is commonly used for property purchases, tuition payments and business invoices with a known settlement date.
How long does a CNY to USD transfer take?
Most transfers are sent via SWIFT and arrive within 1–2 working days once funds have cleared. Allow 2–3 working days on larger amounts to account for compliance checks.
Why is the rate I am quoted different from the rate on this page?
This page shows the mid-market rate — the midpoint between the buy and sell price in the interbank market. It is a reference, not a rate anyone can transact at. Every provider adds a margin to it. The mid-market rate is the same for everyone; the margin is not, and that is where the cost of a transfer actually sits.
How often is the rate on this page updated?
The rate is fetched live from the market data feed every time the page loads, and refreshes automatically while the page is open. The reference figures in the HTML are refreshed daily. We do not display rates older than that.