Exchange rates and conversions
Kenyan Shilling (KES)
The Kenyan shilling (KES) is the currency of Kenya, issued by the Central Bank of Kenya. It is written KSh and divides into 100 cents, although cent coins have gone out of everyday use.
Updated Sep 19, 2026, 12:02 AM
Common KES amounts
Updated Sep 19, 2026, 12:02 AM
KES against the major currencies
| Currency | 1 KES = | 1 unit in KES |
|---|---|---|
| USDUS Dollar | 0.007720 | 129.526 |
| EUREuro | 0.006727 | 148.664 |
| GBPBritish Pound | 0.005776 | 173.136 |
| JPYJapanese Yen | 1.2125 | 0.82472 |
| CHFSwiss Franc | 0.006356 | 157.321 |
| CADCanadian Dollar | 0.01080 | 92.5713 |
| AUDAustralian Dollar | 0.01084 | 92.2250 |
| CNYChinese Yuan | 0.05184 | 19.2916 |
| INRIndian Rupee | 0.74108 | 1.3494 |
| XOFWest African CFA Franc | 4.4118 | 0.22667 |
| XAFCentral African CFA Franc | 4.4118 | 0.22667 |
| MADMoroccan Dirham | 0.07308 | 13.6838 |
| NGNNigerian Naira | 10.2669 | 0.09740 |
| ZARSouth African Rand | 0.12558 | 7.9629 |
| BRLBrazilian Real | 0.03965 | 25.2176 |
| MXNMexican Peso | 0.13289 | 7.5253 |
| RUBRussian Ruble | 0.65168 | 1.5345 |
| TRYTurkish Lira | 0.37662 | 2.6552 |
| AEDUAE Dirham | 0.02835 | 35.2691 |
| SARSaudi Riyal | 0.02895 | 34.5402 |
| SEKSwedish Krona | 0.07594 | 13.1681 |
| NOKNorwegian Krone | 0.07274 | 13.7474 |
| PLNPolish Zloty | 0.02934 | 34.0824 |
| KRWSouth Korean Won | 10.7074 | 0.09339 |
| SGDSingapore Dollar | 0.009856 | 101.464 |
The figure shown is the mid-market rate: the midpoint between the buy and sell price, updated hourly. It is the rate before any margin is added, so a bank or a bureau de change will quote you a lower one.
About the Kenyan Shilling
Kenya introduced its own shilling in 1966, replacing the East African shilling that a single currency board had issued for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The three countries kept the name and went their separate ways: the Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian shillings are distinct currencies with very different values, and confusing them is one of the commonest conversion errors in the region.
Kenya moves more money by phone than most countries move by card. M-Pesa, launched by Safaricom in 2007, sends shillings between mobile wallets and is accepted from market stalls to utility bills, which is why a visitor often needs less cash than expected. The shilling floats, and the foreign currency that supports it comes largely from tea, coffee and horticultural exports, tourism and remittances from Kenyans abroad.
The shilling is the currency of Kenya. Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia also use currencies called the shilling, each separate and worth a different amount.
KES at a glance
- Symbol
- KSh (KES)
- Subunit
- 1 shilling = 100 cents, no longer in everyday use
- Central bank
- Central Bank of Kenya, established in 1966
- Introduced
- 1966, replacing the East African shilling
- ISO 4217 code
- KES
Most-viewed conversions from KES
- KES → USD1 KES = 0.007720 USD
- KES → EUR1 KES = 0.006727 EUR
- KES → GBP1 KES = 0.005776 GBP
- KES → JPY1 KES = 1.2125 JPY
- KES → CHF1 KES = 0.006356 CHF
- KES → CAD1 KES = 0.01080 CAD
- KES → AUD1 KES = 0.01084 AUD
- KES → CNY1 KES = 0.05184 CNY
- KES → INR1 KES = 0.74108 INR
- KES → XOF1 KES = 4.4118 XOF
- KES → XAF1 KES = 4.4118 XAF
- KES → MAD1 KES = 0.07308 MAD
Conversions into KES
FAQ
What is the currency of Kenya?
Kenya uses the shilling, ISO code KES, written KSh and issued by the Central Bank of Kenya in Nairobi. One shilling divides into 100 cents, though cent coins are no longer in practical use and prices are quoted in whole shillings.
Is the Kenyan shilling the same as the Tanzanian or Ugandan shilling?
No. They share a name from the former East African shilling but have been separate currencies since the 1960s, each issued by its own central bank and each with its own rate. Converting an amount from one to another means going through the exchange rate like any other pair.
Should I take cash to Kenya?
Some, but less than you might think: mobile money covers a great deal of everyday spending and cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants. If you bring US dollars to change, note that exchange offices are particular about the notes they accept and often refuse older or damaged bills.
Follow the KES from your phone
The app converts KES into 148 currencies, offline included, and keeps your favourite pairs one tap away.