Guides
Money maths for people who cross borders
Practical guides to travel money, exchange rates, splitting bills, widgets and the design ideas behind Calcurate. 24 articles and counting.
Best Currency Calculator App: A Buyer's Checklist for 2026
The best currency calculator app lets you mix currencies in one sum, shows where its rates come from and works offline. Use this checklist before you install.
8 Oct 2026 · 7 min readKeyboards & designVacuum Fluorescent Display: How VFDs Work and Why They Glow
A vacuum fluorescent display glows when electrons strike phosphor in a vacuum tube. See how VFDs work, why calculators used them, and how they compare to LCD.
5 Oct 2026 · 5 min readWork & businessHow to Compare Prices in Different Currencies Online
Compare prices in different currencies the right way: convert to one currency, add shipping, tax and card costs, then compare the landed cost. With examples.
28 Sep 2026 · 6 min readDestinationsEurope Trip Currencies: Euro, Pound and Swiss Franc Explained
A Europe trip can mean euros, pounds and Swiss francs in one week. See which countries use which, how to budget across all three, and worked examples to copy.
24 Sep 2026 · 7 min readTravel moneyHow to Calculate Tax and Tip Abroad (Plus Sale Discounts)
Learn to calculate tax and tip abroad: VAT and GST inclusive prices, sales tax added at the till, service charges, stacked discounts, with worked examples.
21 Sep 2026 · 7 min readKeyboards & designKeycap Profiles Explained: Cherry, SA, OEM and Low Profile
Keycap profiles explained simply: how Cherry, OEM, SA and low profile caps differ in height and shape, plus PBT vs ABS plastic and what doubleshot legends mean.
17 Sep 2026 · 5 min readMoney basicsPay in Local Currency or Home Currency? DCC Explained
When a card machine abroad asks to pay in local currency or home currency, local is usually cheaper. Here is why, plus how to check the offer in seconds.
14 Sep 2026 · 5 min readWork & businessDigital Nomad Expenses in Multiple Currencies: A Simple System
Managing digital nomad expenses in multiple currencies is easier with one home currency, a monthly total and a buffer. Worked examples show how to do the maths.
10 Sep 2026 · 7 min readWork & businessHow to Invoice Clients in Different Currencies as a Freelancer
How to invoice clients in different currencies: choose the invoice currency, price with a buffer, track what you actually receive and total your income at home.
7 Sep 2026 · 6 min readMoney basicsCurrency Conversion Mental Math: 7 Shortcuts That Work
Convert prices in your head with simple currency conversion mental math: round the rate, drop zeros, use easy fractions and a reference ladder. Worked examples.
31 Aug 2026 · 6 min readKeyboards & designWhy Do Mechanical Keyboards Sound Good? The Science of Thock
Why do mechanical keyboards sound good? Switch type, keycap plastic, the case and the down and up strokes all shape the sound. Here is how each part works.
27 Aug 2026 · 6 min readTravel moneyOffline Currency Converter: How to Convert Without Data
An offline currency converter uses exchange rates saved on your phone. Learn how to prepare before a trip, how accurate stored rates are and what to check.
24 Aug 2026 · 5 min readDestinationsSingapore Dollar Travel Money: GST, "++" Prices and Paying
Singapore dollar travel money made simple: what "++" means on menus, how GST and service charge add up, cards versus cash, and fast conversions with examples.
20 Aug 2026 · 6 min readDestinationsKorean Won Conversion: How to Handle Big KRW Numbers Fast
Korean won conversion is easier once you count in man (10,000). Learn the grouping, quick mental shortcuts and worked examples for prices, hotels and shopping.
17 Aug 2026 · 7 min readMoney basicsRMB vs CNY: What Is the Difference? (Plus CNH Explained)
RMB and CNY refer to the same Chinese currency: renminbi is its name, CNY its ISO code. Learn what yuan and CNH mean and why offshore rates differ.
10 Aug 2026 · 6 min readWidgetsHow to Add a Currency Converter Widget on Android
Put a currency converter widget on your Android home screen: add it, pick the pair, resize it for more detail, and convert amounts without opening the app.
6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readTravel moneyHow to Plan a Travel Budget in Multiple Currencies
Plan a multi-currency travel budget by listing costs in the currency you will pay, converting to your home currency and adding a buffer. Full worked example.
3 Aug 2026 · 6 min readDestinationsThai Baht Travel Money Guide: Cash, Cards and Quick Maths
How to handle Thai baht travel money: cash or card, ATM habits, reading "++" bills, bargaining in baht and converting prices fast. With worked examples.
30 Jul 2026 · 6 min readMoney basicsHow Are Exchange Rates Determined? A Plain-English Guide
Exchange rates are set by supply and demand in currency markets, steered by central banks and pegs. See what moves rates and how reference rates work.
27 Jul 2026 · 7 min readTravel moneyHow to Split a Bill in Different Currencies (Step by Step)
To split a bill in different currencies, convert every expense into one settle-up currency, divide, then net off what each person paid. Full worked example.
20 Jul 2026 · 5 min readWidgetsHow to Set Up a Currency Converter Widget on iPhone
Add a currency converter widget to your iPhone home screen in under a minute: pick a size, set the currency pair, and convert amounts without opening the app.
16 Jul 2026 · 6 min readMoney basicsWhat Is the Mid-Market Rate? (And Why You Rarely Get It)
The mid-market rate is the midpoint between buy and sell prices for a currency. Learn how it works, why banks add a spread, and how to compare quotes.
13 Jul 2026 · 6 min readDestinationsYen Conversion for Shopping in Japan: A Practical Guide
Convert yen fast while shopping in Japan: read tax labels, do quick mental maths, add up a basket and compare with prices at home. Worked examples inside.
9 Jul 2026 · 6 min readTravel moneyHow to Add Different Currencies Together (With Examples)
To add different currencies together, convert every amount into one currency first, then add. Worked examples, rounding rules and a faster way to do it.
6 Jul 2026 · 6 min readDownload
Your next trip deserves a better calculator.
Mix currencies in one sum, see every conversion, and enjoy pressing the keys. Calcurate is on the App Store and Google Play.
