GeraCash / Exchange Rate Markup Calculator / Methodology
Methodology — exchange-rate markup & the Gera FX Fairness Band
Everything the calculator computes, written out so you can reproduce it by hand. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.
The markup formula
The exchange-rate markup is the gap between the mid-market rate (the wholesale rate currencies trade at, with no markup) and the quoted rate you were offered, expressed as a percentage of the mid-market rate:
markup% = | mid − quoted | ÷ mid × 100
The hidden cost in your sending currency is then:
hidden cost = send amount × markup% ÷ 100
Both rates are expressed as units of the target currency per one unit of the source currency (for example, rupees per pound). The calculator also shows how much arrives at the destination at the quoted rate versus the mid-market rate so you can see the shortfall in the currency the recipient receives.
The Gera FX Fairness Band
The Gera FX Fairness Band is Gera's own editorial rubric for reading a markup at a glance. The thresholds are a plain-English guide we publish — they are not a regulated standard, a benchmark set by any authority, or a claim about any specific provider. We chose the bands to reflect how markups commonly range from near-interbank pricing to airport-kiosk pricing.
| Band | Markup range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 0% – 0.5% | Within half a percent of the mid-market rate — close to the rate banks trade at between themselves. |
| Good | 0.5% – 1% | A modest markup. Competitive for most everyday transfers and card spending abroad. |
| Fair | 1% – 2% | A noticeable markup. Worth comparing one or two alternatives before you commit a large amount. |
| Costly | 2% – 4% | A high markup. On larger amounts this hidden cost can dwarf any upfront "fee" you were shown. |
| Poor | over 4% | A very expensive rate. Common at airport kiosks, some travel-money desks and certain card schemes. |
What this tool does not do
- It does not fetch or store live exchange rates — it computes only from the numbers you enter.
- It does not rate or rank any provider; the band reflects the markup you input, nothing more.
- It is information, not financial advice.
GeraCash is pre-launch (waitlist only) and is planned to launch in 2027 with a licensed payment partner. This calculator is a free educational tool that works with any provider.