Currency in the United States
The complete US Dollar (USD) travel guide
The United States Dollar (USD, symbol $) is the world's primary reserve currency, involved in roughly 88% of all daily forex transactions globally. Issued by the Federal Reserve System, banknotes come in $1, $2 (rare), $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations — all the same size and color, unlike most currencies. Coins are 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), 50¢ (half dollar — rare), and $1 (rare). The cent is the only fractional unit in everyday use.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in the United States
The US is overwhelmingly card-first in urban areas — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are accepted nearly everywhere. Tap-to-pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless cards) is now standard at chain restaurants, retailers, and transit (NYC subway, BART, MARTA). Cash is still common at small bars, food trucks, farmers markets, taxis (outside ride-share), and tipping. ATM coverage is excellent — Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo branches are everywhere; most charge $3–5 per foreign-card withdrawal plus your home bank's fee. Avoid standalone "white-label" ATMs in delis and convenience stores — fees of $5–8 plus poor exchange rates are common.
Tipping culture in the United States
Tipping in the US is significant and expected — servers earn a tipped minimum wage as low as $2.13/hour in some states, with tips making up the bulk of income. Restaurants: 18–22% for sit-down service (15% is considered low, 25%+ for excellent service). Bars: $1–2 per drink or 18–20% on a tab. Taxis/Uber: 15–20%. Hotels: $2–5 per bag for bellhops, $3–5 per night for housekeeping. Hairdressers: 20%. Tour guides: $10–20 per person for half-day, more for full-day. Skipping tips for table service is genuinely insulting in the US — budget accordingly when comparing prices to non-tipping countries.
Best way to get US Dollar (USD)
For non-US visitors, the cheapest way to get USD is to use a multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) or a fee-free foreign-bank debit card at any US bank ATM — typically within 0.4–0.7% of mid-market. Avoid airport currency-exchange counters at JFK, LAX, and Miami — spreads of 8–12% above mid-market are common. For large transfers (USD 10,000+), Wise, OFX, and CurrencyFair beat traditional banks by 1–3% on total delivered amount. US-residents converting USD to other currencies should compare Wise, Revolut, and their home bank — Wise typically wins on transparency and total cost.
Practical money tips for the United States
- •Sales tax is added at checkout, not included in the sticker price — varies from 0% (Oregon, Delaware) to 10%+ (Chicago, LA) by state and city
- •Tipping is calculated on the pre-tax amount in most contexts; check the receipt to see if a "suggested tip" is calculated correctly
- •Tap-to-pay limits vary by retailer; some still require PIN or signature above $50–100
- •Carry $20–40 in small bills for tips, food trucks, and street vendors
- •US plug type A/B (flat blades), 120V/60Hz — visitors from 230V countries need an adapter
- •Foreign credit cards without "chip-and-PIN" can fail at unmanned terminals (gas stations especially); always have a backup
- •The $100 bill is sometimes refused at small businesses for fear of counterfeits — withdraw $20s for casual spending
Common money scams to avoid in the United States
Common tourist money scams in major US cities include: card skimming at standalone ATMs and gas-pump card readers (use bank-branch ATMs and pay inside at gas stations); fake "donation" collectors near Times Square and Hollywood landmarks; aggressive "cash-only" taxi drivers at JFK/LAX (use the official taxi queue, not the touts inside the terminal); restaurant bills with auto-added 20% "service charge" for parties of 6+ that you might tip on top of; and dynamic currency conversion at retail terminals (always pay in USD if you have a foreign card, not your home currency).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in the United States?
Less than you might think — most urban transactions take cards or tap-to-pay. Carry $40–80 in cash for tipping, food trucks, taxis (outside Uber), and small bars. Rural areas use more cash, especially the South and Midwest.
What's the tipping minimum in restaurants?
15% is the floor for acceptable service; 18–22% is standard; 25%+ for excellent. Many card terminals now pre-suggest 18/20/22% on the pre-tax amount. Tipping is not optional in sit-down restaurants — staff depend on it as wage income.
Can I use cards everywhere in the US?
In cities, yes — even most food trucks and street vendors take tap. Rural diners, farmers markets, and small bars are sometimes cash-only. Always confirm before ordering.
What's the difference between Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover acceptance?
Visa and Mastercard work nearly everywhere. American Express is accepted at most chains and major retailers but skipped by some small businesses due to higher merchant fees. Discover is widely accepted in the US but less so internationally — non-US visitors rarely have it.
Why are US banknotes all the same size and color?
Historical convention — the US has kept this design since the 1860s. It creates accessibility issues for the visually impaired, and the Treasury has been ordered by federal court to address it, but no redesign has been implemented as of 2026. Many international visitors find it confusing initially.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.