The US dollar to PKR rate today (20 March 2026) stands at Rs. 280.30 (selling) in the open market and Rs. 279.65 in the interbank market, as confirmed by the State Bank of Pakistan and leading exchange companies. The open market buying rate is Rs. 279.25 while the selling rate is Rs. 280.30.
The Pakistani rupee is showing remarkable short-term stability against the dollar, trading in a tight range of Rs. 279–281 for the past two weeks , a sign of improving foreign reserves, rising remittances, and effective SBP oversight. Whether you are a freelancer, importer, overseas Pakistani, or traveller , this live guide gives you every rate you need right now.
USD to PKR Rate Today – 20 March 2026 (Open Market & Interbank)
| Market | Buying Rate | Selling Rate |
| Open Market | Rs. 279.25 | Rs. 280.30 |
| Interbank (SBP) | Rs. 279.25 | Rs. 279.65 |
| Mid-Market Rate | , | Rs. 279.50 |
| 52-Week High | , | Rs. 286.25 |
| 52-Week Low | , | Rs. 279.12 |
Sources: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), PakBiz.com, HamariWeb, Pakistan Observer, Investing.com , all updated 20 March 2026.
All Major Currency Rates in Pakistan – Open Market Today
Euro (EUR) is trading at Rs. 322.13 for buying and Rs. 327.05 for selling, while UK Pound Sterling (GBP) is at Rs. 373.19 and Rs. 377.25 respectively.
| Currency | Buying (PKR) | Selling (PKR) |
| 🇺🇸 US Dollar (USD) | Rs. 279.25 | Rs. 280.30 |
| 🇪🇺 Euro (EUR) | Rs. 322.13 | Rs. 327.05 |
| 🇬🇧 UK Pound (GBP) | Rs. 373.19 | Rs. 377.25 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE Dirham (AED) | Rs. 76.05 | Rs. 76.85 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Riyal (SAR) | Rs. 74.50 | Rs. 75.20 |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian Dollar (CAD) | Rs. 194.50 | Rs. 196.80 |
| 🇦🇺 Australian Dollar (AUD) | Rs. 177.30 | Rs. 179.10 |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) | Rs. 905.00 | Rs. 912.00 |
| 🇶🇦 Qatari Riyal (QAR) | Rs. 76.80 | Rs. 77.50 |
Note: Dirham, Riyal, and Kuwaiti Dinar rates are especially important for Pakistani workers in the Gulf sending money home to their families.
Open Market vs Interbank Rate – What Is the Difference?
This is the most common question Pakistanis ask , and it matters when you are exchanging money.
| Feature | Open Market Rate | Interbank Rate |
| Who Uses It | General public, exchange companies | Banks and financial institutions |
| Set By | Demand & supply in exchange market | State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) |
| Availability | Exchange companies, forex shops | Commercial banks only |
| Rate Difference | Usually Rs. 0.50–2.00 higher | Lower, more regulated |
| Used For | Cash exchange, travel money, remittances | Bank transfers, imports, exports |
- Use the interbank rate when sending money via your bank account (remittance, TT, wire transfer)
- Use the open market rate when exchanging physical cash at a money exchanger or forex company
Important: The State Bank of Pakistan reported a weighted average offer rate of Rs. 279.45 on the last working day, reflecting stable currency movement.
USD to PKR Rate History – Recent Weeks (March 2026)
Over the past year, USD/PKR has changed by 0.390%, trading within a 52-week range of Rs. 279.125 to Rs. 286.250.
| Date | Open Market Selling Rate | Change |
| 20 March 2026 | Rs. 280.30 | Stable |
| 19 March 2026 | Rs. 280.45 | ▼ Rs. 0.15 |
| 16 March 2026 | Rs. 280.50 | ▼ Rs. 0.05 |
| 15 March 2026 | Rs. 280.40 | Stable |
| 12 March 2026 | Rs. 279.75 | ▲ Rs. 0.20 |
| Early March 2026 | Rs. 280.47 (monthly high) | , |
| 52-Week Low | Rs. 279.12 | , |
Key insight: The dollar is trading mostly between Rs. 279–Rs. 280, with the lowest rate observed at Rs. 278.34 , this narrow trading range indicates that the PKR has maintained short-term stability in the foreign exchange market.
Why Is the Dollar Rate Stable in Pakistan Right Now?
The USD/PKR pair has been unusually calm in March 2026. Here are the main reasons:
Positive factors strengthening the rupee:
- ✅ Rising remittances , Overseas Pakistanis are sending more money home ahead of Ramadan, increasing dollar supply in the local market
- ✅ IMF programme compliance , Pakistan’s continued adherence to IMF conditions has restored confidence among foreign investors
- ✅ Improving foreign exchange reserves , SBP’s reserves have been gradually rebuilding over recent months
- ✅ Lower import bill , reduced global energy prices have decreased Pakistan’s monthly dollar outflows
Factors creating upward pressure:
- 🔴 Petrol price surge , petrol hit Rs. 321.17 per litre in March 2026 after a Rs. 55 per litre increase, pushing up import-related dollar demand
- 🔴 Ramadan import surge , food, commodities, and consumer goods imports increase ahead of Ramadan
- 🔴 Global geopolitical tension , Iran-UAE conflict and US tariff policies create uncertainty in global currency markets
USD to PKR – Quick Currency Conversion Table
Planning to travel, shop online, or send money? Use this table for instant calculations:
| USD Amount | PKR Value (at Rs. 280.30) |
| $1 | Rs. 280 |
| $5 | Rs. 1,402 |
| $10 | Rs. 2,803 |
| $25 | Rs. 7,008 |
| $50 | Rs. 14,015 |
| $100 | Rs. 28,030 |
| $500 | Rs. 140,150 |
| $1,000 | Rs. 280,300 |
| $5,000 | Rs. 1,401,500 |
Tip for freelancers: If you earn $500/month on Fiverr or Upwork, you are receiving approximately Rs. 1.40 lakh per month at today’s rate , always withdraw at the highest possible rate by monitoring open market trends.
Where to Get the Best USD to PKR Exchange Rate in Pakistan
Not all exchangers give you the same rate. Here is how to get maximum rupees for your dollars:
Licensed Exchange Companies to Trust:
- DollarEast Exchange , branches in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad
- H&H Exchange Co. , licensed SBP category ‘A’ company
- Link International Currency Exchange , licensed by SBP and SECP, branches nationwide
- Habib Exchange Co. , reliable for TT (Telegraphic Transfer) services
- Galaxy Exchange , strong presence in Lahore and Karachi
Tips to get the best rate:
- ✅ Compare at least 3 exchange companies before handing over your cash
- ✅ Exchange larger amounts , better rates are often offered on amounts above $500
- ✅ Avoid airports , airport exchange booths always give the worst rates
- ✅ Check forex.pk or hamariweb.com before going to any exchanger
- ✅ Exchange on weekdays , rates are more stable Monday to Thursday
How Remittances Affect the USD to PKR Rate
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis are helping stabilize foreign currency inflows. Pakistan receives billions of dollars annually from its diaspora , primarily from Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, and Canada.
Best ways for overseas Pakistanis to send money home in 2026:
- Roshan Digital Account (RDA) , SBP-approved, competitive interbank rates, no tax on incoming remittances
- Western Union / Ria Money Transfer , fast cash pickup at thousands of locations
- Bank transfers (TT/SWIFT) , best for large amounts; use interbank rates
- JazzCash / Easypaisa International , fast, digital, wallet-to-wallet transfers
- Wise (TransferWise) , competitive mid-market rates for international transfers
Ramadan tip 2026: Remittance volumes historically spike 15–20% in the weeks before Ramadan and Eid as overseas Pakistanis send extra money for festive expenses. This increased dollar supply typically keeps the rupee stable or slightly stronger in this period.
Impact of USD/PKR Rate on Everyday Life in Pakistan
Most Pakistanis don’t trade currencies directly , but the dollar rate affects them every single day.
| Sector | How Dollar Rate Impacts It |
| Petrol & Energy | Pakistan imports crude oil in dollars , a weaker rupee = higher petrol prices |
| Imported Food | Palm oil, pulses, wheat , all priced in dollars; weaker PKR = higher grocery bills |
| Electronics & Mobile Phones | Imported phones and laptops become more expensive as PKR weakens |
| Freelancers & IT Exports | A weaker rupee = more PKR per dollar earned , actually a benefit for exporters |
| Students Abroad | Paying foreign university fees gets more expensive when dollar strengthens |
| Medicines | Many pharmaceutical raw materials are imported; PKR weakness raises medicine prices |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the US dollar to PKR rate today on 20 March 2026? The open market selling rate for 1 US Dollar today is Rs. 280.30, while the buying rate is Rs. 279.25. The SBP interbank rate is Rs. 279.65.
Q: What is the difference between open market and interbank dollar rate? The interbank rate is used by banks for institutional transactions and is set by the State Bank of Pakistan. The open market rate is what you get at private exchange companies , usually Rs. 0.50 to Rs. 2 higher than interbank.
Q: Where can I check the live USD to PKR rate in Pakistan? Check hamariweb.com/finance/forex, forex.pk, pakbiz.com, or the SBP official website (sbp.org.pk) for daily updated rates. The SBP helpline is +92-21-3245-1122.
Q: Why does the dollar rate differ between Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad? The open market rate may vary slightly in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Peshawar depending on local demand and currency availability. The difference is usually Rs. 0.20 to Rs. 1.00.
Q: Is it better to exchange dollars in Pakistan or abroad? Always exchange in Pakistan when coming from the Gulf or Middle East. Pakistani open market rates are typically better than what UAE, Saudi, or UK money changers offer for PKR.
Q: What is 1 USD in Pakistani rupees for online shopping (Amazon, eBay)? For online international purchases, your bank will apply the interbank rate plus a foreign transaction fee (typically 1–3%). At today’s rate, budget approximately Rs. 285–290 per dollar after fees for online purchases.
Q: How does the SBP control the dollar rate in Pakistan? State Bank of Pakistan policies include interventions to control volatility , such as selling dollars from its reserves when the rupee weakens too fast, and regulating exchange companies through licensing and rate monitoring.
Q: What is the best time to exchange dollars in Pakistan? Early morning trading sessions (9 AM–11 AM) typically show the day’s most competitive rates. Avoid exchanging late in the evening when dealers have lower liquidity.
Final Thoughts
The US dollar to PKR rate today (20 March 2026) remains stable at Rs. 280.30 (open market selling), reflecting Pakistan’s improving economic fundamentals , growing remittances, IMF programme stability, and controlled import demand. For freelancers, importers, overseas Pakistanis, and travellers, understanding both the open market and interbank rates is essential to getting the best value for every dollar.
Always use SBP-licensed exchange companies, compare rates before exchanging, and monitor daily updates on trusted portals like forex.pk, hamariweb.com, or pakbiz.com.
SBP Helpline: +92-21-3245-1122 Official SBP Website: sbp.org.pk Live Rate Portals: forex.pk | hamariweb.com | pakbiz.com
Read More: Online Registration BISP 2026 – Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Pakistan
