Guatemala remittances calculator
The amount sent is the amount converted to quetzales. This calculator assumes the sender fee is paid on top, not deducted from that amount. A local fee is deducted from the quetzales received. Check your provider's breakdown before entering the values.
With USD 300 sent at Q7.60 per USD, a USD 5 sender fee and a Q10 local fee:
- Total dollars paid: 300 + 5 = USD 305.
- Gross conversion: 300 × 7.60 = Q2,280.
- Recipient receives: 300 × 7.60 − 10 = Q2,270.
- Total fees: 5 × 7.60 + 10 = Q48.
- Effective exchange rate: 2,270 ÷ 305 ≈ Q7.44 per dollar paid.
- Fees as a percentage of gross conversion: 48 ÷ 2,280 × 100 ≈ 2.11%.
These are illustrative inputs, not the calculator defaults or a live quote.
Formula
Gross conversion = Amount sent × Offered exchange rate
Net amount = max(Gross conversion − Local fee, 0)
Total dollars paid = Amount sent + Sender fee
Total fees in GTQ = Sender fee × Offered exchange rate + Local fee
Effective exchange rate = Net amount ÷ Total dollars paid
Fees as a percentage of gross conversion = Total fees in GTQ ÷ Gross conversion × 100
The calculator returns zero for a ratio when its denominator is zero. Fees shown do not include an estimate of the exchange-rate margin. The effective rate uses all dollars paid; the fee percentage uses gross conversion, so these are different comparisons.
Scenario table
The sender fee is paid in addition to the amount sent in every row.
| Amount sent | Offered rate | Sender fee | Local fee | Total paid (USD) | Received (GTQ) | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD 300 | Q7.60 | USD 5 | Q10 | USD 305 | Q2,270 | Q7.44 |
| USD 300 | Q7.70 | USD 8 | Q0 | USD 308 | Q2,310 | Q7.50 |
| USD 500 | Q7.60 | USD 5 | Q10 | USD 505 | Q3,790 | Q7.50 |
| USD 200 | Q7.55 | USD 3 | Q5 | USD 203 | Q1,505 | Q7.41 |
Compare services with the same total budget
If your total budget is USD 300 and the sender fee is USD 5, enter USD 295 as the amount sent and USD 5 as the sender fee. At Q7.60 with a Q10 local fee, the recipient gets Q2,232 and the effective rate is Q7.44. This is a different scenario from sending USD 300 plus the fee.
Use the same total budget for each provider, subtract its sender fee to find the amount converted, and compare the net quetzales received. The remittance comparison calculator compares two offers on that basis.
Advertised rate and limits
The offered rate may differ from the Bank of Guatemala reference rate. This calculator uses the rate you enter, not a live Banguat quote, and does not separately calculate the exchange-rate margin.
The CFPB guide to sending money distinguishes total transfer cost, fees, exchange rate and the amount expected to reach the recipient. Use those amounts from your provider's quote; do not assume every provider deducts fees in the same way.
Results are estimates. Payment method, timing, taxes or receiving-bank charges can change the final amount. If the provider deducts the sender fee from your budget, enter the amount remaining for conversion, not the full budget.
Frequently asked questions
Not directly in this calculator: it is paid on top of the amount sent. It increases total dollars paid and reduces the effective exchange rate. The local fee is deducted from the converted quetzales.
Net quetzales received divided by total dollars paid, including the sender fee. For USD 300 sent plus a USD 5 fee, the denominator is USD 305.
The offered rate and local fees affect the amount received. A sender fee also reduces the amount you can convert if you have a fixed total budget. Confirm the conversion amount and all charges with your provider.
A fixed fee is a smaller percentage of a larger transfer, but timing, your budget and provider conditions also matter. Compare quotes rather than assuming a larger transfer is always preferable.
Related calculators
- Quetzales to dollars: convert amounts using the available reference rate.
- Monthly budget: plan how to use the remittance.