| Currency | Unit | Buy (NPR) | Sell (NPR) |
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Fetching forex rates from Nepal Rastra Bankโฆ
Connecting to official NRB API
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Understanding Nepal's Foreign Exchange System
Nepal's foreign exchange system is managed by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank of Nepal, established in 1956. The NRB is responsible for maintaining the stability of the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) and managing the country's foreign exchange reserves. The bank publishes official forex rates every business day, which serve as the benchmark for all commercial banks, remittance companies, and financial institutions across the country.
Nepal operates a managed floating exchange rate regime for most major currencies, meaning the NRB allows market forces to influence rates while occasionally intervening to maintain stability. However, the Indian Rupee (INR) has a special fixed-rate arrangement under the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty, which makes it unique compared to other currencies.
Key Highlights
- Official Source: Directly from Nepal's central bank since 1956
- Daily Updates: Rates published every business day at ~3:00 PM Nepal Time
- Legal Reference: Used by all licensed banks, remittance companies, and financial institutions
- Transparent Pricing: Clear buy and sell rates with no hidden margins
How Nepal Rastra Bank Determines Daily Forex Rates
Nepal Rastra Bank follows a systematic process to determine daily forex rates:
- Global Market Monitoring: NRB closely monitors international foreign exchange markets, tracking the movement of major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, and JPY.
- Supply and Demand Analysis: The bank analyzes the supply and demand dynamics of foreign currency in Nepal's domestic market, considering factors like remittance inflows, import/export volumes, and tourism receipts.
- Reference Rate Calculation: Using the previous day's closing rates in international markets and adjusting for local conditions, NRB calculates the official buy and sell rates for each currency.
- Publication: The final rates are published every business day at approximately 3:00 PM Nepal Time on the NRB website and API platform.
Buy Rate vs Sell Rate
Buy Rate: The rate at which the bank purchases foreign currency from you. This is always lower than the sell rate.
Sell Rate: The rate at which the bank sells foreign currency to you. This is higher than the buy rate.
The difference between the two is called the spread โ this is how banks generate revenue from currency exchange.
Remittance, Travel & Forex Rates
Remittance: NRB rates serve as the official benchmark for all licensed remittance companies in Nepal. While the NRB rates are the reference, remittance companies may add a small margin (typically 0.5% to 1.5%) to cover operational costs. A stronger foreign currency means more NPR for the recipient.
Travel: If you're traveling abroad, banks and money changers will use the sell rate to sell you foreign currency. For international tourists in Nepal, you'll receive the buy rate when exchanging your currency for NPR.
Tips for Getting the Best Rates
- Check NRB rates first as a baseline reference
- Compare rates across multiple banks and money changers
- Avoid airport exchanges โ they often offer less favorable rates
- Monitor rates over a few days to identify favorable trends
- Always use licensed and authorized providers
Currencies Tracked by Nepal Rastra Bank
Nepal Rastra Bank tracks over 20 major international currencies on its forex platform. The most commonly traded currencies include:
- USD โ U.S. Dollar (most traded, for remittance, travel, and business)
- EUR โ Euro (European travel, education, and imports)
- GBP โ British Pound (UK students, workers, and traders)
- CHF โ Swiss Franc (Swiss trade and investment)
- AUD โ Australian Dollar (Nepali migrants in Australia)
- CAD โ Canadian Dollar (Nepali migrants in Canada)
- SGD โ Singapore Dollar (Nepali migrants in Singapore)
- JPY โ Japanese Yen (Japanese trade and tourism)
- CNY โ Chinese Yuan (Chinese trade and investment)
- SAR โ Saudi Riyal (Nepali workers in Saudi Arabia)
- QAR โ Qatari Riyal (Nepali workers in Qatar)
- THB โ Thai Baht (Thai trade and tourism)
- AED โ UAE Dirham (Nepali workers in the UAE)
- MYR โ Malaysian Ringgit (Nepali workers in Malaysia)
- KRW โ South Korean Won (Korean trade and employment)
- NOK โ Norwegian Krone, NZD โ New Zealand Dollar, and more.
The INR (Indian Rupee) has a special fixed-rate arrangement under the India-Nepal Treaty and is not subject to market fluctuation.