Convert USD to KRW, Free
Live exchange rates updated daily. Enter any USD amount for the KRW equivalent.
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How to convert USD to KRW
The South Korean won (KRW) trades at thousands to a dollar, making the numbers look large for small amounts. As of recent years the rate has ranged from around 1,200 to 1,400 KRW per USD. The won is sensitive to US-China trade tensions, Korean export performance (dominated by Samsung, Hyundai, SK Hynix, and LG), and the Bank of Korea's interest rate policy. This tool fetches the current mid-market rate and converts your amount instantly in-browser.
For travelers to South Korea, the won's large nominal value can be mentally disorienting: a meal that costs 12,000 won is roughly $8-9. A hotel room at 150,000 won per night is around $105-115. Keeping a rough mental conversion (dividing by 1,350 or so) helps when shopping or budgeting, but the exact rate on the day matters. Using an international card often gives near-market rates automatically.
Enter the USD amount
Type the US dollar amount you want to convert to Korean won.
View the live rate
The current USD/KRW mid-market rate is displayed. KRW per USD is typically in the 1,200-1,500 range.
Read the KRW result
The converted won amount appears. For a $100 input, expect a result in the low 100,000s of won.
Account for exchange fees
Banks and airport exchange counters add spreads. Fintech cards and transfer services are typically cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Korean won have such large nominal values?
Korea has never redenominated its currency. Decades of inflation mean the won has a large nominal value relative to a dollar, similar to the Japanese yen. This does not reflect weak purchasing power domestically.
What drives the USD/KRW rate?
Korean export performance, Samsung and semiconductor industry earnings, US-China trade relations (which affect Korean supply chains), and Bank of Korea monetary policy all influence the won.
Is the Korean won pegged to the dollar?
No. The KRW is a floating currency, though the Bank of Korea intervenes in the FX market at times to smooth excessive volatility.
What is a quick way to estimate KRW in my head?
Divide the KRW amount by 1,350 for a rough USD approximation (adjusting for the current rate). So 50,000 KRW is roughly $37.
Where do I get the best exchange rate for KRW in Korea?
Licensed money changers in Myeongdong and Insadong in Seoul, and in major shopping areas, typically offer better rates than banks. Airport counters have the worst rates.