Live, 15m delayed

USD to ZAR exchange rate

16.484 ZAR
-0.012 (-0.08%)
US Dollar / South African Rand · 2026-10-14 10:32:59 UTC
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Convert USD to ZAR

ZAR 1,648.40
1 USD = 16.484 ZARLive, 15m delayed · Checked 2026-10-14 10:32:59 UTC

How do I query USD/ZAR?

One authenticated GET returns the latest value with its timestamp and source. Swap the language tab for your stack.

$ curl https://api.exchangerate.dev/v1/rate/usd-zar \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY"
# → rate, timestamp, source, derived
✓The response includes source, market_session, and data_updated_at freshness metadata.
Get API key

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Live, 15m delayedIntraday market rate. Last updated 2026-10-14 10:32:59 UTC. How rates are calculated.

USD/ZAR — US Dollar to South African Rand

USD/ZAR expresses how many South African rand one US dollar buys. It is one of the most actively traded emerging-market currency pairs in the world, and traders often use the rand as a high-beta proxy for broader risk appetite — when global sentiment turns cautious, ZAR tends to weaken faster than many of its peers.

The rand floats freely, with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) targeting inflation rather than a fixed exchange rate. Because South Africa is a major producer of gold and platinum-group metals, commodity prices are a persistent driver of the pair, alongside capital flows into and out of South African bonds and equities. Domestic factors — including periodic electricity supply constraints — also feed into rand sentiment.

USD/ZAR is watched by commodity traders, portfolio managers with emerging-market exposure, and businesses trading with or operating in South Africa.

This page shows an indicative mid-market rate that can update intraday through the trading week. It is not a live intraday quote for settlement or regulated trading — every API response carries source and market_session so you can see whether a given number reflects a live tick or a daily reference fix.

Frequently asked questions

What does USD/ZAR measure?
USD/ZAR states how many South African rand you receive for one US dollar. A rate of 18.50 means one dollar buys 18.50 rand.
Is USD/ZAR a floating exchange rate?
Yes. The rand trades under a free float, and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) does not target a specific level — it focuses on inflation rather than defending an exchange rate.
Why does USD/ZAR move so much compared to other pairs?
The rand is one of the more liquid emerging-market currencies and is widely used as a proxy for global risk appetite. Commodity prices (gold, platinum-group metals) and shifts in capital flows can drive sharp moves in short periods.
Is this rate live or a daily reference?
The API response for this pair carries a source and market_session field on every call, so you always know whether the quote reflects a live intraday tick or a daily reference fix — the rate can update intraday through the trading week, but no fixed refresh interval is guaranteed.
What drives the rand besides gold and platinum prices?
Global risk sentiment, the interest-rate gap between SARB and the US Federal Reserve, and South Africa-specific factors like electricity supply constraints all feed into how the rand trades against the dollar.
How do I get this rate via the API?
GET /v1/latest/USD?symbols=ZAR returns the indicative rate, source, market_session, and timestamp. The free tier covers it, no credit card required. All rates are indicative, not for settlement.
Who typically watches USD/ZAR?
Commodity traders, emerging-market portfolio managers, and businesses trading with or operating in South Africa use USD/ZAR as their primary reference for dollar-rand conversion.