What Currency Does Ethiopia Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 159.76 ETB
1 GBP ≈ 214.17 ETB
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
ETB converter
100 ETB ≈ 0.6259 USD
Ethiopian birr conversion table
| Amount | USD → ETB | GBP → ETB | EUR → ETB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 159.76 | 214.17 | 182.48 |
| 5 | 798.79 | 1,071 | 912.39 |
| 10 | 1,598 | 2,142 | 1,825 |
| 20 | 3,195 | 4,283 | 3,650 |
| 50 | 7,988 | 10,709 | 9,124 |
| 100 | 15,976 | 21,417 | 18,248 |
| 500 | 79,879 | 107,086 | 91,239 |
| 1,000 | 159,759 | 214,172 | 182,477 |
| ETB | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0063 | 0.0047 | 0.0055 |
| 5 | 0.0313 | 0.0233 | 0.0274 |
| 10 | 0.0626 | 0.0467 | 0.0548 |
| 20 | 0.1252 | 0.0934 | 0.1096 |
| 50 | 0.313 | 0.2335 | 0.274 |
| 100 | 0.6259 | 0.4669 | 0.548 |
| 500 | 3.1297 | 2.3346 | 2.7401 |
| 1,000 | 6.2594 | 4.6692 | 5.4801 |
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 ETB is worth about 0.0063 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Ethiopian birr ranks 98th 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 Ethiopia? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Ethiopian birr spending.
What is money called in Ethiopia?
Money in Ethiopia is called the Ethiopian birr — its ISO 4217 currency code is ETB, and its symbol is Br. The Ethiopian birr is the official legal tender in Ethiopia 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 Ethiopia currency or simply money in Ethiopia.
Is the Ethiopian birr used anywhere else?
No — Ethiopia is the only country on this site using the Ethiopian birr as its official currency.
Practical money tips for Ethiopia
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Ethiopian birr 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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Ethiopia in context
- Ethiopia covers 1,104,300 km², making it the 26th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.
- Ethiopia is landlocked, with no direct coastline.
- With 111,652,998 people, Ethiopia holds about 25.5% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Ethiopia is a member state of the United Nations.
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Ethiopia currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Ethiopia?
The currency of Ethiopia is the Ethiopian birr (currency code: ETB, symbol: Br).
What is the currency code for Ethiopia?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Ethiopian birr is ETB.
What is the Ethiopian birr symbol?
The symbol for the Ethiopian birr is Br. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Ethiopia.
What currency is used in Ethiopia?
The official currency used in Ethiopia is the Ethiopian birr (ETB).
Can I use US dollars in Ethiopia?
The official currency of Ethiopia is the Ethiopian birr, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Ethiopian birr and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Ethiopia?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 159.76 ETB and 1 GBP = 214.17 ETB. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Ethiopia?
Money in Ethiopia is called the Ethiopian birr (ETB).
Do other countries use the Ethiopian birr?
No — Ethiopia is the only country on this site using the Ethiopian birr as its official currency.
What is the Ethiopian currency?
The Ethiopian currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB), the official money of Ethiopia.
What is the currency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia?
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is the formal name of Ethiopia. Its currency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB).
How much is 100 ETB in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 ETB is about 0.6259 USD or 0.4669 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Ethiopian birr?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 15,976 ETB.
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