Fixed fee
A flat fee applies per transaction and varies with the corridor, the destination country and any promotional pricing.
Western Union calculator
Western Union fees calculator
Western Union operates one of the largest agent networks in the world, making it a go-to for cash pickup where bank accounts are rare.
Send money with Western Union — compare against 14 services
Live mid-market ratesEnter the details below and tick the services you want — the ranking refreshes on its own.
About the figures: exchange rates are mid-market rates pulled from free public APIs and refreshed about every 30 minutes. Fees and margins come from each provider's published pricing and are comparison estimates — always confirm the live price with the provider before you send.
Fee breakdown
How Western Union charges you
Every Western Union transfer has four cost components. Here is exactly what each one means.
Percentage fee
On top of the fixed fee, a percentage of 1%–2.9% is charged depending on the funding method.
Exchange rate offered
Western Union sets its own retail exchange rate, refreshed several times a day.
Markup vs mid-market
The rate typically sits 1.5%–2.2% worse than mid-market, which is where much of the cost hides.
Why people choose Western Union
- Vast pickup network
- Cash in minutes
- Pays out in many currencies
What to watch out for
- Higher all-in cost than online-only providers
- Pricing varies by corridor
FAQ
Western Union fees — common questions
How much does Western Union charge to send money?
Western Union charges a fixed fee of 2.99 plus 1% of the amount on bank-funded transfers (figures from our editable fee config). Debit and credit-card funding are priced in the calculator above.
Does Western Union add an exchange-rate markup?
Yes. Western Union applies a markup of 1.5% on bank transfers, 1.8% on debit cards and 2.2% on credit cards over the mid-market rate. The calculator shows both the offered rate and the difference from mid-market in your send currency.
How long do Western Union transfers take?
Minutes for cash pickup · 1–3 days to a bank. Delivery also depends on the destination country, the payout method and when you start the transfer.
What payment methods can I use with Western Union?
The calculator compares bank transfer, debit card and credit card funding. Card payments almost always cost more, which is why the ranking can change when you switch methods.
How is the total cost of a transfer calculated?
Total cost combines two things: the fees charged by the provider (fixed fee + percentage fee) and the exchange-rate markup over the mid-market rate. The calculator adds both and expresses the result in the send currency, then shows exactly how much the recipient receives.
What is the mid-market rate?
The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate) is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies on the global market. It is the rate you see on Google or Reuters before any bank or provider adds a margin.
Compare Western Union with other providers
See how Western Union stacks up against Wise, Revolut, Western Union and the rest — or open another calculator below.
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True mid-market rate with one transparent, upfront fee.
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