Send money from the UK to the US

Whether you're relocating to the US, buying property, paying education costs or supporting family, you can see the GBP to USD exchange rate available to you upfront, with transparent pricing and personal support.

  • See your GBP to USD exchange rate instantly
  • Transparent 0.25%-0.40% margin, depending on transfer size
  • No Currencyflow payment transfer fees
  • Personal support, including direct access to our founder

Send, save... & relax.

Transparent pricing, always shown upfront.

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Your funds are safeguarded and kept separate from Currencyflow's operational funds. They are held in segregated safeguarded accounts through our FCA-authorised payment institution partner, Sciopay Ltd (FRN 927951).

Freddie Smith

By Freddie Smith, Founder & CEO, Currencyflow · Updated 1 October 2026

Sending money from the UK to the US? Here's what to know

Many UK to US transfers are for costs set in dollars, such as property, education or relocation expenses. If there's a fixed USD amount and deadline, the GBP to USD exchange rate can change the sterling cost between planning the payment and making it.

Knowing the amount and date first makes it easier to decide when you want to exchange. Currencyflow lets you see the exchange rate available upfront, so you can review the USD amount before you book.

Why people transfer money from the UK to the US

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Moving savings or repatriating funds

Whether you're relocating to the US or just moving personal savings abroad, we make it simple to convert and transfer your funds with clarity on both ends.
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Buying property or paying a mortgage

If you're buying a property in the US, we can help at each step. Whether it's a deposit, final payment, or something in between. You can even fix your exchange rate in advance to avoid any surprises.
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Supporting family

You may be sending regular support, gifts, or covering costs for relatives in the US. We make the process more cost-effective and easier to track than using traditional banks.
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Paying tuition and living costs

US universities are expensive, so it pays to get the exchange rate right. Whether it's tuition or rent, we help clients time their payments and avoid unnecessary costs.

Why send money to the US with Currencyflow

FeatureCurrencyflowHigh Street Banks
Exchange RateLow-margin, personalisedOften 3-5% markup
Transfer FeesNoneYes, plus possible SWIFT fees
SpeedSame-day or next working day2-5 working days
SupportPhone, email, live chat, WhatsAppCall centres or in-branch
Rate LockYesRarely offered
Account SetupFast and guided by a specialistPaperwork-heavy, slower

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Currencyflow indicative GBP to USD rate

1 GBP = 1.3174 USD

As of , the Currencyflow indicative GBP to USD rate is 1 GBP = 1.3174 USD, based on a £50,000 transfer with a 0.30% margin.

Your actual exchange rate may vary depending on the amount you send because our margin varies by transfer size. See our rates, margins and fees →

Currencyflow rates are indicative and confirmed when you book. No payment transfer fees.

Get a personalised GBP to USD quote →

Currencyflow GBP to USD rates by transfer amount

Currencyflow exchange rates vary according to the amount you send.

Currencyflow exchange rates for GBP to USD transfers as of .
You send (GBP)You receive (USD)Currencyflow rateMarginPayment transfer fee
£5,000$6,5811 GBP = 1.3161 USD0.40%None
£10,000$13,1611 GBP = 1.3161 USD0.40%None
£20,000$26,3221 GBP = 1.3161 USD0.40%None
£50,000$65,8711 GBP = 1.3174 USD0.30%None
£75,000$98,8271 GBP = 1.3177 USD0.28%None
£100,000$131,7691 GBP = 1.3177 USD0.28%None
£200,000$263,6171 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None
£300,000$395,4261 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None
£500,000$659,0441 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None
£1,000,000$1,318,0871 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None
£2,000,000$2,636,1741 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None
£5,000,000$6,590,4361 GBP = 1.3181 USD0.25%None

Currencyflow rates are indicative, updated hourly, and confirmed when you book. No payment transfer fees.

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How to transfer money to the US from the UK

See your exchange rate

Enter the currencies and amount you're transferring and see the Currencyflow exchange rate available to you on screen.

Open your account

If you're happy with the rate, we'll guide you through account setup and verification and answer any questions along the way.

Send your funds

Use the payment instructions we provide to fund your transfer. We'll let you know when the money arrives.

We make your international payment

We convert your pounds at the agreed exchange rate and send the US dollars to your chosen recipient in the US, either straight away or on the date you've arranged.

Planning your GBP to USD transfer

Plan around a fixed US-dollar cost

Property, education and relocation expenses in the US are often priced in US dollars. If there's a fixed amount and deadline, the GBP to USD market rate can move while you're planning and change how many pounds you need to convert.

Fix a rate for a future transfer

If you know you'll need to make the payment later, a forward contract can let you fix an available GBP to USD exchange rate in advance. That can give you more certainty over the amount of US dollars you'll receive or the amount of pounds you'll need to send.

Set a target rate if your timing is flexible

If you don't need to exchange straight away, a target rate order can wait for your chosen GBP to USD exchange rate and book automatically if that rate becomes available while the order is active. There's no guarantee the target rate will be reached.

See GBP to USD rates and history

For the current GBP to USD mid-market rate, Currencyflow indicative rate, transfer-size pricing and historical data, see our GBP to USD exchange-rate page.

Sending pounds to a US bank account

If you’re sending money from the UK to the United States, the recipient may hold an account with a major US bank such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo or Citibank.

Once you’ve agreed your GBP to USD exchange rate, you fund your Currencyflow transfer using the bank details supplied for your payment. We convert the GBP into US dollars at the agreed rate and send the USD to the account you’ve provided.

US accounts do not use IBANs. Recipient details will typically include a nine-digit routing number (also called an ABA number) and an account number, and you may also need to confirm whether the account is checking or savings. A SWIFT/BIC may be required depending on the payment route.

Customers use this route for relocation, education costs, business payments, investments and supporting family in the US.

How long does a transfer from the UK to the US take?

Most transfers from the UK to the US arrive within 1-2 working days, depending on:

  • When we receive your GBP
  • If all recipient details are correct
  • Whether compliance checks are triggered
  • Bank processing times in the UK and US
  • Weekends and US banking holidays

We work with you to avoid delays, especially for high-value or time-sensitive transfers.

What you'll need to send money from the UK to the US

To transfer GBP to USD, you'll need:

  • Valid ID (passport or UK driving licence)
  • Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)
  • Recipient's full name and US bank details (account + routing number)
  • A short reason for the transfer (e.g. tuition, savings, gift)
  • For large transfers (typically £10,000+), you may also be asked for:
  • Source of funds documents (e.g. payslip, property sale, savings history)
  • Supporting paperwork for gifts or large payments (especially if going into a US business account)

We'll let you know exactly what's required in advance.

Legal and tax notes for UK to US transfers

  • There's no UK tax on sending your own money abroad
  • Large incoming transfers to US accounts may trigger extra checks (especially if above $10,000)
  • Gifts above the US IRS annual threshold ($18,000) may require the recipient to report the payment via IRS Form 3520
  • For real estate or investment payments, documentation should match the purpose (e.g. sale agreement, invoice)
  • The UK and US have a double taxation treaty so income like pensions usually isn't taxed twice
  • If you're sending a large amount, it's smart to speak to a tax advisor (especially if the recipient is a US resident)

Why trust Currencyflow

Your funds are safeguarded

Client funds are held in segregated safeguarded accounts through our FCA-authorised payment institution partner, Sciopay Ltd (FRN 927951), separate from Currencyflow's operational funds.

Personal support when you want it

Speak with us by phone, WhatsApp or email, including direct access to our founder, Freddie, when you want to talk through your transfer.

Secure account and payment processes

Currencyflow uses security measures including two-factor authentication and transaction monitoring to help protect accounts and payments.

Frequently asked questions

Freddie Smith

Written by

Freddie Smith

Founder & CEO, Currencyflow

Freddie Smith is the Founder and CEO of Currencyflow, an international foreign exchange and payments specialist focused on high-value transfers for individuals and businesses worldwide. With over 12 years of commercial experience across financial services and digital media, including several years working with financial services comparison platforms, Freddie has spent his career at the intersection of partnerships, growth strategy, and money movement. He founded Currencyflow to bring transparent, fixed-margin pricing and personal relationship management to clients making significant international transfers.

Last updated 1 October 2026

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