USD to KES Exchange Rate Today
Live US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling rate — updated every 60 seconds
Use This USD/KES Rate in Your App
Need a no-key exchange rate API for USD to KES? Call the live conversion endpoint directly with CORS enabled and no signup.
Get the free USD/KES API endpoint →USD / KES — Quick Facts
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) | Kenyan Shilling (KES) |
| Symbol | $ | KSh |
| Minor Unit | 100 cents | 100 cents |
| Country / Region | United States | Kenya |
About USD to KES Conversion
The US Dollar (USD) to Kenyan Shilling (KES) exchange rate shows how many Kenyan Shillings you get per one US Dollar. Our converter uses the live mid-market rate — the midpoint between buy and sell prices — updated every 60 seconds from global forex markets.
About the US Dollar
The US Dollar (USD) serves as the currency of United States. Its value is influenced by the monetary policy decisions of the United States central bank, key economic indicators such as GDP growth, employment figures, and inflation rates, as well as international trade flows and investor sentiment toward United States's economy. Understanding the fundamentals behind the USD helps when making conversion decisions.
About the Kenyan Shilling
The Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the official currency of Kenya. The Kenya central bank manages monetary policy and sets benchmark interest rates that directly influence the KES's valuation. Additional drivers include Kenya's trade balance, inflation trends, fiscal policy, and the overall health of the region's economy. These factors combine to determine how the KES performs against other currencies like the USD.
What Moves the USD/KES Rate
The USD/KES rate fluctuates based on economic data, central bank decisions in United States and Kenya, inflation, trade balances, and global risk sentiment. The forex market processes over $7 trillion daily, making it the world's largest financial market. Specifically, the difference between United States and Kenyainterest rates — known as the rate differential — often drives the direction of this pair. Trade flows between the two countries, shifts in commodity prices that affect either economy, and changes in global investor risk appetite can all move the USD/KES exchange rate.
Why People Convert USD to KES
People exchange US Dollars for Kenyan Shillings for many practical reasons. Travellers heading from United States to Kenya need KES for accommodation, dining, and transport. Migrant workers and families send remittances from United States to Kenya and vice versa, making the USD/KES rate directly impactful on household budgets. Online shoppers purchasing goods priced in KES from United States benefit from tracking the exchange rate to calculate final costs. Businesses that import or export goods between United States and Kenyamonitor USD/KES to manage pricing and supply-chain expenses. Investors holding assets denominated in either USD or KES follow the pair to evaluate cross-border returns.
Related Exchange Rates
The USD/KES pair is linked to several other exchange rates in the global market. For instance, the USD to EUR rate and the GBP to KES rate often move in related patterns. Traders also compare USD to JPY and JPY to KES to understand broader market trends.
Want the reverse? Convert KES to USD or learn more about US Dollar. Also, read the Kenyan Shilling (KES) overview.
Learn about the Currencies
USD to KES Conversion Table
Estimated values based on current mid-market rate. Use the converter above for the live rate.
| USD | KES (approx.) |
|---|---|
| $1 USD | KSh129.16 KES |
| $5 USD | KSh645.8 KES |
| $10 USD | KSh1,291.6 KES |
| $25 USD | KSh3,229 KES |
| $50 USD | KSh6,458 KES |
| $100 USD | KSh12,916 KES |
| $500 USD | KSh64,580 KES |
| $1,000 USD | KSh129,160 KES |
↑ Click any row or use the converter above to get the current rate.
How to Convert USD to KES
- Enter the amount of US Dollar in the converter above
- Click Convert USD to KES
- The live Kenyan Shilling result appears instantly with the current mid-market rate
- Use the KES to USD converter for the reverse direction
Tip: The mid-market rate shown here is the fairest benchmark. Banks and exchange desks typically add a spread of 0.5%–3% on top of this rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current USD to KES exchange rate?
The current USD to KES exchange rate is updated every 60 seconds from live forex market data. Use the converter above to get the latest mid-market rate for US Dollar (United States) to Kenyan Shilling (Kenya).
How much is 1 USD in KES?
1 US Dollar (USD) — the currency of United States — can be converted to Kenyan Shillings (KES) using the live mid-market rate shown in the converter above. The rate updates every 60 seconds from global forex markets.
How much is 100 USD in KES?
100 US Dollars (USD) converts to Kenyan Shillings (KES) at the current mid-market rate. Use the converter above for the exact amount — rates update every 60 seconds.
How much is 1000 USD in KES?
1000 US Dollars (USD) converts to Kenyan Shillings (KES) at the current exchange rate. The rate updates every 60 seconds from live forex markets.
Where can I convert USD to KES?
You can convert US Dollar (USD) to Kenyan Shilling (KES) using the free converter on this page. The rate updates every 60 seconds and shows the mid-market rate — the fairest benchmark for currency exchange.
What is the difference between USD and KES?
US Dollar (USD) is the currency of United States, while Kenyan Shilling (KES) is the currency of Kenya. The USD/KES exchange rate fluctuates based on economic conditions, interest rates, and market demand in both United States and Kenya.
How do I convert USD to KES?
To convert US Dollar to Kenyan Shilling, enter the amount in the converter above and click convert. The result shows the equivalent value in Kenyan Shillings at the current mid-market exchange rate.
Can I convert KES back to USD?
Yes! Use the KES to USD converter to get the reverse exchange rate. The same mid-market rate applies in both directions.
Compare USD/KES Exchange Rates by Provider
Estimated rates for converting 1,000 USD. Spreads are typical — actual fees vary.
| Provider | Rate | For 1,000 USD | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-market rateThe benchmark | 129.16 | KSh129,160.00 | 100.0% |
| Wise~0.7% fee | 128.26 | KSh128,255.88 | 99.3% |
| Revolut~1% for standard plan | 127.87 | KSh127,868.40 | 99.0% |
| Your Bank~2.5% typical spread | 125.93 | KSh125,931.00 | 97.5% |
| Airport Kiosk~5% typical spread | 122.70 | KSh122,702.00 | 95.0% |
* Spreads shown are estimates. Always verify current fees on provider websites before transacting.
Send Money at the Mid-Market Rate
Your bank likely charges 2–3% above the rate you see above. These providers offer rates much closer to the mid-market benchmark:
* To earn referral commissions, set NEXT_PUBLIC_WISE_REFERRAL_URL and NEXT_PUBLIC_REVOLUT_REFERRAL_URL in your Vercel environment variables with your personal referral links.
Rate Alerts
Get notified when USD/KES reaches your target. Alerts are stored in your browser.
Popular Currency Pairs
Popular Cross-Rates for USD/KES
🔓 Free Exchange Rate API — No Key Required
Developers: get live USD/KES rates programmatically. No API key, no signup, CORS enabled. Use the same data that powers this converter.
View API docs →