What Currency Does Benin Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 574.29 XOF
1 GBP ≈ 769.88 XOF
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
XOF converter
100 XOF ≈ 0.1741 USD
West African CFA franc conversion table
| Amount | USD → XOF | GBP → XOF | EUR → XOF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 574.29 | 769.88 | 655.95 |
| 5 | 2,871 | 3,849 | 3,280 |
| 10 | 5,743 | 7,699 | 6,560 |
| 20 | 11,486 | 15,398 | 13,119 |
| 50 | 28,714 | 38,494 | 32,798 |
| 100 | 57,429 | 76,988 | 65,595 |
| 500 | 287,143 | 384,942 | 327,976 |
| 1,000 | 574,286 | 769,883 | 655,952 |
| XOF | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0017 | 0.0013 | 0.0015 |
| 5 | 0.0087 | 0.0065 | 0.0076 |
| 10 | 0.0174 | 0.013 | 0.0152 |
| 20 | 0.0348 | 0.026 | 0.0305 |
| 50 | 0.0871 | 0.0649 | 0.0762 |
| 100 | 0.1741 | 0.1299 | 0.1525 |
| 500 | 0.8706 | 0.6494 | 0.7623 |
| 1,000 | 1.7413 | 1.2989 | 1.5245 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 XOF is worth about 0.0017 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the West African CFA franc ranks 113th by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Benin? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on West African CFA franc spending.
What is money called in Benin?
Money in Benin is called the West African CFA franc — its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF, and its symbol is Fr. The West African CFA franc is the official legal tender in Benin and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Benin currency or simply money in Benin.
Is the West African CFA franc used anywhere else?
Yes — West African CFA franc (XOF) is also used in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and 1 other country.
Not to be confused with other franc currencies
Several currencies carry the name “franc”, but each one is separate, with its own code, value and issuing country. The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the currency of Benin and other countries listed above.
| Currency | Code | Used in | 1 USD = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burundian franc | BIF | Burundi | 2,993 |
| Central African CFA franc | XAF | Cameroon +5 more | 574.29 |
| Comorian franc | KMF | Comoros | 430.71 |
| Congolese franc | CDF | DR Congo | 2,270 |
| Djiboutian franc | DJF | Djibouti | 177.72 |
| Guinean franc | GNF | Guinea | 8,777 |
| Swiss franc | CHF | Liechtenstein +1 more | 0.8079 |
| Rwandan franc | RWF | Rwanda | 1,470 |
Practical money tips for Benin
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some West African CFA franc in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Benin in context
- Benin covers 112,622 km², making it the 100th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 4 countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Togo.
- With 13,224,860 people, Benin holds about 3.0% of the population of Western Africa.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Benin is a member state of the United Nations.
Benin currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Benin?
The currency of Benin is the West African CFA franc (currency code: XOF, symbol: Fr).
What is the currency code for Benin?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the West African CFA franc is XOF.
What is the West African CFA franc symbol?
The symbol for the West African CFA franc is Fr. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Benin.
What currency is used in Benin?
The official currency used in Benin is the West African CFA franc (XOF).
Can I use US dollars in Benin?
The official currency of Benin is the West African CFA franc, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in West African CFA franc and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Benin?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 574.29 XOF and 1 GBP = 769.88 XOF. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Benin?
Money in Benin is called the West African CFA franc (XOF).
Do other countries use the West African CFA franc?
Yes — West African CFA franc (XOF) is also used in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and 1 other country.
What is the Beninese currency?
The Beninese currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), the official money of Benin.
What is the currency of the Republic of Benin?
The Republic of Benin is the formal name of Benin. Its currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF).
How much is 100 XOF in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 XOF is about 0.1741 USD or 0.1299 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in West African CFA franc?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 57,429 XOF.
Is the West African CFA franc the same as other franc currencies?
No. Several currencies share the word, but each is a separate currency with its own code and value. The West African CFA franc is XOF; others include Burundian franc (BIF), Central African CFA franc (XAF), Comorian franc (KMF), Congolese franc (CDF).
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