You’re browsing Amazon, eyeing that sleek new espresso machine or a pair of noise-canceling headphones, and suddenly you notice the price is in British Pounds. Or maybe Euros. But you’re sitting in Chicago. It’s annoying. Shopping online should be seamless, yet sometimes the site’s localization settings get stuck in a different region, or maybe you’re actually traveling and want to see how much that suitcase costs in your home currency. Knowing how to change the currency on Amazon saves you from the mental gymnastics of doing math in your head while trying to find a deal.
It happens more than you’d think. Maybe you clicked a link from a UK-based blog, or your VPN is currently pretending you’re in Tokyo. Whatever the reason, Amazon doesn't make the button neon pink and center-stage. It’s tucked away.
Why Your Currency Might Be Wrong in the First Place
Amazon operates as a collection of regional stores. There isn't just one "Amazon." There is Amazon.com for the US, Amazon.co.uk for the UK, Amazon.de for Germany, and so on. Usually, the currency defaults to the local legal tender of that specific marketplace. If you’re on the German site, you see Euros.
But here is the kicker: Amazon has a feature called the Amazon Currency Converter. This allows you to pay in your local currency even if you are shopping on an international store, provided your card is supported. It’s convenient, but it isn't always the cheapest way to shop. We'll get into the exchange rate markups in a bit because, honestly, Amazon takes a cut for the privilege of doing the math for you.
The Quick Way to Change the Currency on Amazon (Desktop)
If you are on a laptop or desktop, the process is actually pretty snappy once you know where to look. You don’t even have to dig into your deep account settings.
Look at the top navigation bar. Right next to the search box, you’ll see a little flag icon. It might be the Stars and Stripes, the Union Jack, or something else entirely. Hover your mouse over that flag. A dropdown menu appears. This is your "Language & Region" hub. At the bottom of that small window, you’ll see a link that says "Change currency." Click that.
Now, Amazon will take you to a dedicated page called Currency Settings. You’ll see a dropdown menu labeled "Currency Settings." Pick your preferred money—USD, CAD, EUR, whatever. Click "Save Changes." Boom. Done.
One thing to keep in mind: this doesn't change which Amazon store you are on. If you are on Amazon.co.uk and change the currency to USD, you are still buying from the UK store. You’ll still pay international shipping. Your Prime membership from the US won't give you free shipping in London. It just changes the digits you see on the screen.
Adjusting Currency Settings on the Amazon Mobile App
Mobile is a different beast. The layout is cramped.
Open the app. Look at the bottom right corner. There are three horizontal lines—the "hamburger" menu. Tap that. Scroll down until you see "Settings." It’s usually near the bottom, past all the flashy banners for Prime Video or "Deals for You."
Once you tap Settings, a sub-menu opens. Look for Country & Language. This is where most people get tripped up. They think "Language" only changes the words, but on the app, currency is tied to the regional store selection.
- Tap on "Country/Region."
- Select the country you want to shop from.
- If that country supports multiple currencies, a "Currency" option will appear below it.
- Select your choice.
- Tap "Done."
If you’re just trying to change the display currency without changing your home store, the app can be stubborn. Sometimes it forces the local currency of the store you've selected. If you're using the US app, it wants to show you dollars. Period.
The Trap: Amazon’s Exchange Rates vs. Your Bank
Let's talk money. Real money.
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When you use the Amazon Currency Converter to see prices in your home currency on an international site, Amazon is essentially acting as a money changer. They use a "wholesale exchange rate." In plain English? They charge a fee.
I’ve seen Amazon’s rates be 3% to 5% higher than the actual mid-market rate you’d see on Google or XE.com.
If you have a credit card with No Foreign Transaction Fees (like many travel cards or premium Chase/Amex cards), you are almost always better off paying in the local currency of the store.
Example: You’re buying a book on Amazon.fr.
- Option A: Change the currency to USD on Amazon. Amazon does the conversion. You pay $25.00.
- Option B: Leave it in Euros. You pay €21.00. Your bank converts it at the real rate. You end up paying $23.40.
It’s a couple of bucks. But if you're buying a $500 camera? That’s twenty-five dollars wasted just for a "convenient" display. Always check if your bank provides a better rate than the Amazon "Exchange Rate Guarantee."
Why Some Currencies Aren't Available
Sometimes you'll follow these steps and your specific currency won't be there. Frustrating? Yes.
Amazon supports about 80 currencies, which sounds like a lot until you realize there are roughly 180 in the world. If you’re looking for a currency with high volatility or strict capital controls, Amazon might not offer it for display or checkout.
Also, the Currency Converter only works if your "1-Click" payment method is a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express denominated in a supported currency. If you're trying to use a store gift card, you're stuck with the local currency of that store. Gift cards are locked to the region they were bought in. You can't use a USD gift card on the French site.
Troubleshooting: Why Won't It Stay Changed?
You changed it. You refreshed. It went back to the old one.
This usually happens because of Cookies or Multiple Tabs. If you have Amazon open in three different tabs, and you change the currency in one, the others might get confused. Your browser is trying to remember who you are and where you are.
If the setting won't stick, try this:
- Log out of Amazon.
- Clear your browser cookies for "amazon.com" (or your specific regional site).
- Log back in.
- Set the currency again.
Another culprit is your VPN. If you are using a VPN set to "United Kingdom," Amazon’s "Auto-Detect" feature will keep trying to push GBP on you every time you land on a page from an external link. Turn off the VPN or set it to your actual location.
Regional Store vs. Currency: Don't Confuse the Two
This is the biggest mistake people make. They think changing the currency to USD on Amazon.co.jp (Japan) means they are now shopping on the US store.
Nope.
You are still buying a Japanese product, likely with a Japanese power plug, and you're still going to pay a fortune in shipping to get it across the ocean. Changing the currency is strictly about the visual display of the price and the final amount charged to your card.
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If you want to shop for items that ship from US warehouses, you must go to Amazon.com. If you want UK warehouses, it's Amazon.co.uk. The currency follows the store, unless you manually override it using the steps above.
Actionable Next Steps for Smarter Shopping
Stop overpaying for international items. Now that you know how to change the currency on Amazon, use that knowledge to compare. Before you hit "Place Your Order" on an international purchase, look at the "Order Summary" on the final checkout page.
Amazon will often show you the "Exchange Rate" they are using in small text. Open a new tab, search "GBP to USD" (or whatever your conversion is), and see how much your bank would charge. If the bank is cheaper, change your payment currency back to the "Store Currency" instead of your "Home Currency." It’s a tiny toggle during the final step of checkout that can save you significant money on big-ticket items.
Double-check your "Default Address" too. Amazon often sets the currency and store based on where it thinks it's shipping. If you have an old address in your profile from a time you lived abroad, it could be haunting your settings. Clean up your address book to keep the site’s AI from guessing your location incorrectly.
Keep an eye on the flag icon in the header. It's your quickest shortcut to fixing any weirdness that happens when you're jumping between regional versions of the site. Simple, effective, and keeps your budget in check.