What is the GBP to USD exchange rate?

The GBP to USD exchange rate tells you how many US dollars you receive for one British pound. CurrencyConverter247 shows the current mid-market rate sourced daily from the European Central Bank. GBP/USD is one of the most traded currency pairs in the world and is known as Cable in forex markets.

Why is GBP/USD called Cable?

The GBP/USD currency pair is nicknamed Cable because exchange rates between the British pound and US dollar were first transmitted between London and New York via a transatlantic telegraph cable laid in 1858. The name has been used by forex traders ever since.

Is the British pound stronger than the US dollar?

By convention, the GBP/USD rate is quoted as the number of USD per 1 GBP, which is typically above 1.0. This reflects historical pricing conventions rather than a direct measure of economic strength. Both currencies are among the world's major reserve currencies.

What factors influence the GBP/USD rate?

The GBP/USD rate is primarily influenced by Bank of England and US Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, UK and US inflation and employment data, GDP growth figures, and political events such as UK trade policy and elections.

GBP to USD — British Pound to US Dollar

Mid-market rate sourced from the European Central Bank • Updated daily

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GBP to USD history

Daily European Central Bank reference rates. The ECB publishes one rate each working day, so weekends and holidays have no data. Hover or tap the chart to see a specific day.

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GBP to USD conversion table

Common amounts at the latest ECB reference rate.

A guide to the GBP to USD rate

What moves GBP/USD

GBP/USD is known in the market as "Cable", a name that dates back to the transatlantic telegraph cable used to send the rate between London and New York in the 19th century. It is one of the most heavily traded currency pairs in the world.

The Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve each set rates eight times a year, and expectations ahead of those meetings drive a lot of the day-to-day movement. UK inflation and jobs data, US payrolls and US inflation figures are the key releases to watch. Sterling can also react sharply to UK political and fiscal news, as it did around the 2016 EU referendum and the September 2022 mini-budget.

Who converts GBP to USD

British travellers heading to the US, UK businesses buying from American suppliers, people paid in dollars while living in the UK and anyone buying US shares from a UK account all need this rate. Because Cable is so liquid, spreads between the buy and sell price are tight in the wholesale market. The margin you pay is almost entirely down to your provider.

Getting a fair GBP to USD rate

Many UK bank cards add a non-sterling transaction fee on top of the exchange rate, so check your card terms before a US trip. When paying by card in the US, choose to pay in dollars rather than letting the terminal convert to pounds. For transfers, compare the dollar amount you will receive against the mid-market figure on this page.

GBP to USD in practice

GBP to USD matters to British travellers in the US, UK businesses selling to American customers and people paid in one currency while living in the other. Because the pair is heavily traded, specialist transfer services can often offer rates close to mid-market, while high street banks and airport bureaux tend to add larger margins. If you are converting a lump sum, such as a bonus or the proceeds of a sale, get two or three written quotes on the same day and compare the final amount received rather than the advertised rate.

Page last reviewed 3 October 2026. CurrencyConverter247 is a reference tool, not a financial adviser. Rates shown are mid-market reference rates and are not an offer to exchange.

GBP to USD Converter