Multi-Currency Overview

Multi-currency allows customers to browse and pay in their local currency. This removes a major friction point for international shoppers who would otherwise need to mentally convert prices.

Shopify supports multi-currency natively through Shopify Payments and Markets. Customers see prices in their currency throughout the store and pay without needing to worry about exchange rate surprises.

Multi-Currency Benefits

•Higher conversion when customers see familiar currencies
•Reduced cart abandonment from currency confusion at checkout
•Improved trust with professional, localised experience
•No chargebacks from exchange rate disputes

Shopify Payments Currencies

Multi-currency is powered by Shopify Payments. When enabled, you can accept payments in multiple currencies while receiving payouts in your default currency.

How It Works

Customer Pays in Their Currency

The customer sees prices and pays in EUR, USD, or another enabled currency. The exact amount is charged to their card.

Shopify Converts the Payment

Shopify handles the currency conversion behind the scenes using competitive exchange rates.

You Receive Your Currency

You receive the payout in your default currency (GBP for UK stores). A small conversion fee (1-2%) is included in the rate.

Currency Fee

Shopify charges a currency conversion fee (typically 1.5%) on top of standard processing fees. This is competitive compared to traditional payment gateways.

Enabling Currencies

Currencies are enabled through Shopify Markets. Each market can have its own currency settings.

Step-by-Step Setup

1
Verify Shopify Payments
Multi-currency requires Shopify Payments. Go to Settings → Payments to confirm it's active.
2
Access Markets
Go to Settings → Markets. You'll see your primary market and any additional markets you've created.
3
Edit Market Settings
Click on a market and scroll to "Currency and pricing". Select the local currency for that market.
4
Configure Conversion
Choose automatic conversion (exchange rate based) or manual pricing (fixed prices per currency).
5
Set Rounding Rules
Configure how converted prices are rounded (e.g., to .99 or .00) for cleaner pricing.

Currency Selector

A currency selector lets customers manually choose their preferred currency. Most modern Shopify themes include this built-in, or you can add it manually.

Theme Currency Selector

Check if your theme has a built-in currency selector:

1.Go to Online Store → Themes → Customise
2.Look in Header or Footer settings for "Currency selector" or "Country/region selector"
3.Enable it and configure display options

Currency Selector Apps

Shopify Geolocation App (Free)

Official Shopify app that detects customer location and suggests their local currency. Includes a customisable selector popup.

Currency Converter Plus

Third-party app with advanced styling options and flags. Shows converted prices alongside original if needed.

Geolocation

Geolocation automatically detects the customer's location and presents the appropriate currency and language. This creates a seamless experience without requiring manual selection.

Geolocation Features

•Auto-detection: Identifies country from IP address
•Suggestion popup: Asks if customer wants to switch to their local version
•Auto-redirect: Automatically redirects to the appropriate market
•Remembers preference: Stores customer's choice for return visits

Setting Up Geolocation

1.Install the Geolocation app from the Shopify App Store
2.Configure the popup design and behaviour
3.Choose between suggestion popup or auto-redirect
4.Test from different locations (use VPN or browserstack)

Pro Tip

Use suggestion popups rather than auto-redirects. Auto-redirect can frustrate customers who intentionally want to shop in a different currency (e.g., expats, gift buyers).

Pricing Strategies

How you set international prices significantly impacts both margin and conversion. Consider these strategies.

Pure Exchange Rate

Let Shopify convert prices automatically based on live rates.

Pros: Simple, always current. Cons: Prices fluctuate, may look odd (£43.27).

Exchange Rate + Rounding

Auto-convert then round to attractive prices (.99, .00).

Pros: Clean prices, minimal effort. Cons: Slight margin variance.

Exchange Rate + Adjustment

Auto-convert then add a percentage (e.g., +10%) to cover conversion fees and international costs.

Pros: Protects margin. Cons: Higher prices in some markets.

Fixed Manual Pricing

Set specific prices for each currency using price lists.

Pros: Full control, strategic pricing. Cons: Requires ongoing management.

Best Practices

Follow these best practices for effective multi-currency implementation.

Currency Converter Tips

•Prioritise key markets: Focus on currencies for your highest-volume markets
•Use rounding: Clean prices look more professional and trustworthy
•Test checkout: Verify the full checkout flow works correctly in each currency
•Show currency symbol: Display the currency symbol clearly (£, $, €) not just the code
•Consider duties: Factor in duties when setting international prices

How to Add Currency Converter to Shopify