US Dollar to South African Rand — USD to ZAR
USD to ZAR Converter
USD/ZAR Rate — Last 30 Days
Rate Statistics
| Period | High | Low | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 16.3256 | 16.2230 | 16.2586 |
| 30 days | 16.7655 | 16.2230 | 16.4772 |
Get notified when rate changes
Set a target rate — we email you when USD/ZAR hits it. Checked every 15 minutes.
Historical USD/ZAR Rates by Year
What drives the USD/ZAR rate?
Whether you're converting USD for travel, business, or investment, here's what drives the USD to ZAR exchange rate. The USD/ZAR exchange rate is determined by supply and demand in global currency markets, influenced by interest rate decisions from both central banks, economic data releases, inflation figures, and broader risk sentiment in financial markets. Trade flows between the two countries or regions also play an important role in long-term rate direction.
How to get the best USD to ZAR rate
The rate shown above is the interbank mid-market rate — the real exchange rate used between financial institutions. Individual customers cannot access this rate directly. Banks typically add a 2–3% spread on top, meaning you receive significantly less than the rate shown.
Online transfer services like Wise offer rates very close to the interbank rate with a small transparent fee of 0.5–1%. On a $1,000 USD exchange this typically saves $15–25 compared to a bank. Airport exchange booths charge the highest fees — often 5–8% above the interbank rate — and should be avoided for large amounts.