PayPal USD to ZAR Exchange Rates - Compare & Save

PayPal exchange rates at a glance

When you use the PayPal to make a foreign transfer the total cost will depend on how you pay, but generally you will be charged between 4%-7% percent of the total amount being converted depending on how you pay.

When you use a debit/credit card to pay for your transfer you will be charged an extra 3% when you load your PayPal wallet.

How is the PayPal exchange rate calculated?

The base foreign exchange rate at which PayPal obtains foreign currency is determined by 3rd party financial institutions, and are adjusted regularly based on market conditions. The exchange rate that PayPal then provides you also includes a processing fee above the base rate.

The exchange rate provided by PayPal is fixed for each currency and does not change for small or large amounts.

If you use your credit card to send a payment, you can usually opt to use your credit card provider’s conversion rate instead of PayPal's.

If you choose to use MasterCard or Visa’s exchange rate, the applied conversion rate will be shown on your credit card statement, and not at the time of the transaction.

When you use the PayPal App in the US to send a payment to a different currency, you will be using Xoom, a PayPal Service.

USD to ZAR Market Data

US dollar (USD) to South African rand (ZAR) market data - latest interbank exchange rate, trend, chart & historic rates.

Sell USD → Buy ZAR

1 USD = ZAR

▲+0.2%

USD to ZAR at 18.09 is 2.2% below its 3-month average of 18.5, having traded in a fairly volatile 9.8% range from 18.02 to 19.78

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1 ZAR = 0.055622 USD

Date	USD/ZAR	Change	Period
06 May 2025	18.21	0.6% ▼	2 Week
19 Feb 2025	18.53	2.3% ▼	3 Month
20 May 2024	18.17	0.4% ▼	1 Year
21 May 2020	17.59	2.9% ▲	5 Year
23 May 2015	11.88	52.4% ▲	10 Year
25 May 2005	6.5313	177.1% ▲	20 Year

USD/ZAR historic rates & change to 20-May-2025

What are equivalent amounts of USD and ZAR?

Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to ZAR (US dollar to South African rand)*.

USD	ZAR
$ 1	R 17.98
$ 5	R 89.90
$ 10	R 179.80
$ 20	R 359.60
$ 50	R 899.00
$ 100	R 1,798
$ 250	R 4,495
$ 500	R 8,990
$ 1,000	R 17,980
$ 2,000	R 35,960
$ 5,000	R 89,900
$ 10,000	R 179,800
$ 20,000	R 359,600
$ 50,000	R 899,000
$ 100,000	R 1,798,000

USD	ZAR
$ 0.0556	R 1
$ 0.2781	R 5
$ 0.5562	R 10
$ 1.1124	R 20
$ 2.7811	R 50
$ 5.5622	R 100
$ 13.91	R 250
$ 27.81	R 500
$ 55.62	R 1,000
$ 111.24	R 2,000
$ 278.11	R 5,000
$ 556.22	R 10,000
$ 1,112	R 20,000
$ 2,781	R 50,000
$ 5,562	R 100,000

More amounts

*Converted at the current USDZAR interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.

Forecasts for USD to ZAR

20 MayThe USD to ZAR exchange rate is currently experiencing a notable influence from several factors surrounding the US dollar's performance and broader economic sentiments. As of recent analysis, the USD has traded at approximately 18.09 ZAR, which is about 2.2% lower than its three-month average of 18.5 ZAR. This movement has been characterized by a volatile range between 18.02 and 19.78 ZAR, reflecting the uncertain market conditions.

Read our full review of recent USD to ZAR forecasts.

How to get a good USD to ZAR exchange rate

There are several ways to save on exchange rates when converting US dollar to South African rand:

Shop around for the best USD/ZAR exchange rate: Exchange rates can vary significantly between different currency exchange providers, so it's important to compare rates from different sources before making a conversion.
Timing is important: Keep an eye on the USD/ZAR rate on currency markets, as exchange rates can fluctuate frequently. Try to make your transactions when the exchange rate is in your favor. You can do this easily with our BER Smart Rate Tracker.
Use a credit/debit or travel card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees: Some credit cards charge additional fees for transactions made in a foreign currency, so it's important to check with your card issuer to see if they charge these fees and what their exchange rate is.
Use a multi-currency account: Having a multi-currency account allows you to hold and transfer money in both USD and ZAR at close to the interbank rate. It also allows you to make payments or withdrawals in the local currency while avoiding high conversion fees.
Buy currency in advance: If you know that you will need foreign currency in the future, consider buying it in advance when the exchange rate is favorable.

The key is reducing excessive costs and fees

Generally speaking, if you are buying South African rand with US dollar, then it's better for the USD/ZAR exchange rate to be higher.

However working against you are the fees all foreign exchange providers charge for providing their service. These fees is usually contained within the exchange rate margin (or difference to the mid-rate).

The transaction margin you end up being charged can be considerably reduced by around a few percent (of total amount being exchanged) for travel money and possibly over 5% to 6% when sending money. The exact potential savings depends on the currencies being exchanged and the amount you are transferring and if you are willing to shop around.

Our real-time foreign transfer and travel money/cards comparison calculators make shopping around easy and help you calculate how much you can save.

Read our Currency guide to South Africa — a practical currency and money guide to travel in South Africa plus living and doing business with the South African rand.

It's worth noting that while these tips can help you save on exchange rates, it's important to be aware that no single method is guaranteed to provide the best exchange rate in every situation, and it may require some research and comparison-shopping to find the best option for your specific needs.

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Will the US dollar rise against the South African rand?

It is almost impossible to predict what an exchange rate will do in the future, the best approach is to monitor the currency markets and transact when an exchange rate moves in your favour.

To help with this you can add USD/ZAR to your personalised Rate Tracker to track and benefit from currency movements.

Manage Tracker

Rather than requiring you to set a target rate, our Rate Alerts keep you informed of recent trends and movements of currency pairs.

Add rates to your Rate Tracker and select to receive an daily email (mon-fri) or when a rate is trending

Currency Country Guides

United States (USD)

South Africa (ZAR)

Is it safe in South Africa?

South Africa has a high crime rate, and certain areas or neighborhoods can be dangerous for foreigners. However, many areas are safe and tourist-friendly. It is important to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, avoid carrying valuables and stay in well-populated areas. Americans travelling to South Africa are recommended to check the U.S. Department of State website for travel advisories and to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

What is the cost of living in South Africa?

The cost of living in South Africa is relatively low compared to other countries in the world. However, it is important to note that the cost of living can vary greatly depending on the specific location within the country.

How is the expat life in South Africa?

The expat life in South Africa can be very exciting. There are many different things to do and see, and the people are friendly and welcoming. There are also some great opportunities for work and for business.

Any laws in South Africa that foreigners should be aware of?

There are a few things that foreigners should be aware of when travelling to South Africa. These include:

-It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places

-It is illegal to walk around without a shirt on in public places

-It is illegal to take photos of certain buildings, such as Parliament

-It is illegal to drive without a valid driver's license

What is doing business like in South Africa?

Doing business in South Africa is quite difficult due to the high crime rate, as well as the vastness of the country. Corruption is also a big problem, which makes doing business quite difficult.

How is the economy in South Africa?

The economy in South Africa is difficult to define because it is so diverse. There are developed industrial sectors, as well as large informal economies. Overall, the economy has been struggling in recent years due to high levels of unemployment, corruption, and inequality.

Read more at our South Africa (ZAR) country guide