¥ Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Live CNY exchange rates and currency information
About Chinese Yuan
The Chinese Yuan (CNY), also known as Renminbi (RMB), is managed by the People's Bank of China and has grown in global importance as China's share of world trade has increased.
Chinese Yuan Facts
| ISO Code | CNY |
| Symbol | ¥ |
| Subunit | fen/jiao (10 jiao = 1 CNY, 10 fen = 1 jiao) |
| Central Bank | People's Bank of China (PBOC) |
| Introduced | 1949 |
| Region | Asia |
| Country / Region | China |
Convert Chinese Yuan
Live CNY Converter
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Convert CNY to USD →Chinese Yuan Guide: CNY, CNH, and PBOC Policy
The Chinese yuan is one of the most important currencies for global trade, supplier payments, ecommerce pricing, and Asia-focused portfolios. The key detail is that yuan pricing can refer to different markets: CNY for mainland China and CNH for offshore trading.
CNY vs CNH: what is the difference?
CNY is the onshore Chinese yuan traded inside mainland China under domestic market rules. CNH is the offshore yuan traded outside mainland China, especially in Hong Kong and global financial centers. They represent the same currency unit, but their market prices can diverge because the onshore and offshore markets have different liquidity, capital controls, and participants.
How the PBOC influences the yuan
The People's Bank of China sets a daily reference rate, often called the midpoint fixing, around which onshore yuan trading is allowed to move within a managed band. This does not mean the exchange rate is fixed, but it does mean CNY is managed more actively than free-floating currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, or JPY.
Why CNY matters for trade and invoices
China is one of the world's largest exporters, so CNY exchange rates affect import costs, supplier payments, marketplace pricing, and margin planning. Businesses buying goods from China often compare CNY with USD because many suppliers quote in either yuan or dollars. A small change in the yuan can affect landed cost when order volumes are high.
When to check CNY rates
Check the yuan rate before paying Chinese suppliers, converting travel money, calculating marketplace profit, or updating a spreadsheet model. If a provider quotes CNH instead of CNY, treat it as a close but not identical reference and compare the final converted amount before sending money.
Developers and spreadsheet users can pull live yuan rates from the free exchange rate API docs or test a direct USD to CNY API request.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chinese Yuan
What is the Chinese Yuan (CNY)?
The Chinese Yuan (CNY), also known as Renminbi (RMB), is managed by the People's Bank of China and has grown in global importance as China's share of world trade has increased.
What is the subunit of the Chinese Yuan?
The Chinese Yuan is divided into fen/jiao (10 jiao = 1 CNY, 10 fen = 1 jiao).
Who manages the Chinese Yuan?
The Chinese Yuan is managed by the People's Bank of China (PBOC).
How do I convert CNY to USD?
Use our free converter above to get the live mid-market CNY to USD rate, updated every 60 seconds.
What is the difference between CNY and CNH?
CNY is the onshore yuan used in mainland China. CNH is the offshore yuan traded outside mainland China. They are closely related but can trade at slightly different rates.
Does China have a fixed exchange rate?
No. The yuan is managed by the People's Bank of China through a daily reference rate and trading band, so it is not a fully fixed rate and not a fully free-floating rate.
Can I use the API for CNY exchange rates?
Yes. The free exchange rate API supports CNY conversion requests with no API key or signup required.