• A bank quotes two USD rates: its buy rate (the bank buys from you) and its sell rate (the bank sells to you). The leader on the buy side is often not the leader on the sell side.
• The widget below sorts Moscow banks separately for "I want to sell" and "I want to buy" USD — that's the live ranking.
• In Moscow, the US dollar is the most-traded currency at bank FX desks; competition for FX customers is fierce and spreads are tight. The gap between the leader and the market average is usually 30 to 80 kopecks per dollar.
• Beyond the rate itself, what matters: the bank's spread, the update time, banknote condition and year of issue, the availability of the denomination you need, and branch opening hours.
• For amounts of 3,000 USD or more, it pays to call a premium branch and ask about an individual rate — that's standard practice.

Below is the ranking methodology, how to use it, and what to keep in mind before you head out.

How the ranking is built

The widget on this page uses a simple, transparent logic:

Data source. Cash-desk rates from banks' own Moscow branches. Not a "market average," not the CBR rate, not the exchange — the actual rate at a specific bank FX desk.

Sorting. In the "I want to sell USD" view, banks are sorted in descending order of the buy rate (the bank that pays more per dollar is at the top). In the "I want to buy USD" view, banks are sorted in ascending order of the sell rate (the bank that asks less per dollar is at the top).

Update time. Every row shows a specific timestamp. That's the second filter after the number itself.

Branch addresses. Clicking a row opens the bank's list of Moscow branches with opening hours.

The ranking is recalculated hourly.

Compare USD/RUB rates right now

Do three simple things:

• Pick the direction: "I want to sell" or "I want to buy" dollars.
• Remember or save the top 3 banks in the column you need.
• Check the update time on each of the leaders.

That's the basic comparison. Now for the details.

Which banks most often top the USD ranking

Naming specific banks goes stale fast: the ranking shifts both through the day and from month to month. It's more useful to look at the type of bank that usually leads on cash dollar exchange.

Large universal banks. They keep a narrow spread because currency exchange is a mass-market service for them. High turnover means a smaller margin per unit.

Banks with a large FX cash float. They always have cash USD on hand, so they compete aggressively on rate.

Banks with active brokerage and exchange-trading businesses. Dollars cycle through faster, so the spread is tighter.

In the "middle of the pack" you'll find regional banks with a Moscow office where retail exchange isn't a priority. Their spread is wider and the rate is worse.

What to check besides the number itself

Spread. The gap between the buy and sell rate at the same bank. A narrow spread = the bank treats customers fairly in both directions.

Update time. A rate that's been sitting unchanged for 3+ hours is a reason to call and confirm.

Year of issue. This is specific to the dollar: notes printed before 2006 may be accepted at a reduced rate or require extra verification. More on which US dollar bills are accepted in Russia.

Banknote condition. Tears, writing, tape residue — grounds for refusal or a reduced rate. See our guide on damaged dollars.

Cash availability on the sell side. Especially for large amounts — a branch may have a limited stock of 100 USD notes.

Opening hours and your route. The best rate at a branch ninety minutes away isn't really the best.

Comparison table: your task and what to watch for in the widget

How to actually find the best USD rate: step by step

1. Open the widget. Pick USD and the direction you need.
2. Make a shortlist of 3–4 banks. The leader, the second, the third, and "your own."
3. Check the leaders' spreads. A narrow spread is a bonus.
4. Check the update time. A "stale" rate is a reason to push that leader down in your real ranking.
5. Plan your route. The closest leader is usually the best practical choice.
6. Call the bank. Confirm the current rate and the availability of the denominations you need. For a large amount, ask about an individual rate.
7. Head out. At the desk, check the rate against the board.

For the broader algorithm, see our guide "how to find the best exchange rate in Moscow".

What's specific to the dollar as a currency

The dollar has two quirks worth watching. First, the year of issue: notes from before 2006 get extra scrutiny from banks. Second, older series still circulate widely in everyday use, so they're regularly accepted only at a reduced rate. Full breakdown in our piece on whether banks accept old dollars in Russia.

Where to look next

• Where to exchange dollars in Moscow — a general guide.
• Currency exchange in downtown Moscow — a geographic breakdown.
• When is the best time to exchange currency in Russia — time of day and day of the week.
• Where to exchange a large amount on better terms — for amounts of 3,000 USD and up.

FAQ

Which Moscow banks have the best USD rate right now?

The exact list is in the widget on this page. It updates hourly and shows the actual current ranking. The specific "top" shifts through the day.

Where is the best USD buy rate at a bank (when I'm selling)?

That's the bank that pays more per dollar. In the widget, in "I want to sell" mode, the leader is at the top.

Where is the best USD sell rate (when I'm buying)?

That's the bank that asks less per dollar. In the widget, in "I want to buy" mode, the leader is at the top.

On average, what's the gap between the leader and the market average?

In Moscow — usually 30 to 80 kopecks per unit. On 100 USD that's 30–80 rubles; on 1,000 USD it's 300–800 rubles. The bigger the amount, the more it pays to shop around for the best rate.

Can I negotiate an individual rate?

For amounts of 3,000 USD or more — usually yes, through a premium branch or a personal manager. That's standard practice at large banks.

Where can I see rates for other currencies?

The widget lets you switch between USD, EUR, CNY, and others. For the euro, we have a separate piece. For the yuan, another one.