Getting started with the Rate-API

Rate-API gives you live exchange rates for 160+ currencies through a simple REST API. This guide gets you from zero to your first request in a few minutes.

1. Get an API key

Sign up for a free account and create a key from your dashboard. The Free plan includes 2,500 requests per month — no credit card required.

2. Make your first request

Pass your key in the URL path and request the latest rates:

curl "https://rate-api.com/api/v1/YOUR_API_KEY/latest?base=USD"

You can also send the key as an Authorization: Bearer or X-API-Key header.

3. Convert an amount

curl "https://rate-api.com/api/v1/YOUR_API_KEY/convert?from=USD&to=EUR&amount=100"

That's it — you're ready to build. Check the API docs for conversion, historical rates, pairs and more.