# What Is a Direct Quote?

## What Is a Direct Quote?

A direct quote is a foreign exchange rate quoted in fixed units of foreign currency in variable amounts of the domestic currency. A direct currency quote asks what amount of domestic currency is needed to buy one unit of foreign currency—most commonly the U.S. dollar (USD) in forex markets. In a direct quote, the foreign currency is the [base currency](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/basecurrency.asp), while the domestic currency is the counter currency or quote currency. This can be contrasted with an [indirect quote](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/indirectquote.asp) in which the price of the domestic currency is expressed in terms of a foreign currency.

### Key Takeaways

*   A direct quote is a currency pair quote where the foreign currency is expressed in per-unit terms of the domestic currency.
*   A direct quote gives you the quantity of local currency needed to purchase one unit of foreign currency.
*   Because the U.S. dollar is the most traded currency in the world, the USD generally serves as the base currency in most direct quotes. Some major exceptions to this rule include the British pound and the euro.

## Understanding Direct Quotes

The use of direct quotes versus indirect quotes depends on the location of the [trader](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trader.asp) asking for the quote, as that determines which currency in the [pair](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/currencypair.asp) is domestic and which is foreign. Non-business publications and other media usually quote foreign exchange rates in direct terms for the ease of consumers. However, the foreign exchange market has quoting conventions that transcend local borders.

A direct quote can be compared to an indirect quote as its inverse, or by the following expression:

> DQ = 1/IQ

Where:

*   DQ = Direct Quote
*   IQ = Indirect Quote

In a direct quote, a higher [exchange rate](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/exchangerate.asp) implies that the domestic currency is depreciating or becoming weaker since the price of the foreign currency is effectively rising—and vice versa. Thus, if the [USD/JPY](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/forex/u/usd-jpy-us-dollar-japanese-yen-currency-pair.asp) (direct) quotation changes from 100 to 105, it indicates the yen is weakening against the dollar because it would take 5 more yen (the local currency) to buy 1 USD (the foreign currency).

### U.S. Dollars

The U.S. dollar ([USD](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/usd.asp)) is the most actively traded currency in the world. In the context of trading rooms and professional publications, most currencies are quoted as the number of foreign currency units per dollar. This means that the dollar serves as the base currency, whether the speaker is in the United States or elsewhere. An example of a direct quote using U.S. dollars might be stating $1.17 Canadian per U.S. dollar, rather than 85.5 U.S. cents per Canadian dollar, which would be the indirect quote.

### British Pounds

A major exception to the dollar-base quote rule is when the British pound ([GBP](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gbp.asp)) is quoted against other currencies, including the dollar, but with the exception of the euro. This reflects the fact that the pound was the world's dominant currency in the years leading up to World War II and before the ascendancy of the U.S. economy. The exchange rate for the pound would thus be quoted as $1.45 per £1, regardless of whether this is considered direct (in the United States) or indirect (in the United Kingdom).

### Euros

The [euro](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/euro.asp) (EUR) came into existence on Jan. 1, 1999 as the unit of account for participating [European Union](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/europeanunion.asp) (EU) member nations; notes and coins were first issued on Jan. 1, 2002. The euro replaced many major traded European currencies, including the German mark, the French franc, and the Dutch guilder.

The [European Central Bank](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/europeancentralbank.asp) (ECB), which oversaw the conversion, intended the currency to be the financial market's dominant currency. It specified that the euro should always be the base currency whenever it is traded, including against both the U.S. dollar and the British pound. For this reason, quotes are always the number of dollars, pounds, Swiss francs, or Japanese yen needed to buy €1.

> **Fast Fact**
>
> Direct quotes may change often; understand that the prevailing direct quote rate may not be same even across a single day.

## Direct Quotes vs. Indirect Quotes

Why would someone use a direct quote over an indirect quote? The choice between using a direct quote or an indirect quote often hinges on clarity, convenience, and the specific needs of the parties involved. A direct quote is commonly used in countries where the domestic currency is stronger or more stable. For instance, if you’re in the United States and dealing with euros, a direct quote might be expressed as $1.10/€, meaning it takes $1.10 to buy one euro.

This format is particularly useful for individuals or [international businesses](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/international-commerce.asp) in the U.S. as it provides a straightforward way to understand the cost of acquiring foreign currency in terms of their own currency. For other countries, a direct quote of €0.90/$1.00 may cater better to that specific region.

Another reason to use a direct quote is its alignment with the way most financial markets present exchange rates. In international finance, direct quotes are commonly used for currency pairs involving major currencies like the USD, GBP, and EUR. This standardization simplifies transactions and financial reporting. This aligns itself to what was mentioned above: the stronger currency is usually the primary currency when looking at exchange rates.

Finally, the choice between direct and indirect quotes can also be influenced by the audience's familiarity with the currency pair. For instance, in the forex market, direct quotes are prevalent for currencies where the U.S. dollar is the base currency. This convention supports better transparency and efficiency in trading and investment decisions as that is the standardized format of reporting.

## Alternatives to Direct Quotes

In addition to direct quotes (and indirect quotes), there are several other ways to get exchange rates. These alternatives include:

*   **Cross Rates**: Cross rates involve exchanging one foreign currency for another without involving the domestic currency. For example, if you have the exchange rates for USD/GBP and USD/JPY, you can derive the GBP/JPY cross rate. If the USD/GBP rate is 0.75 and USD/JPY is 110, then the GBP/JPY cross rate would be calculated as 110 / 0.75 = 146.67. Cross rates may bypass the primary currency that's used in a direct quote.
*   **Bid and Ask Quotes**: [Bid and ask quotes](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bid-and-ask.asp) represent the buying and selling prices of a currency pair. The bid price is the rate at which buyers are willing to purchase the foreign currency, while the ask price is the rate at which sellers are willing to sell it. Naturally, and assuming there may be some volatility, there could be a bid direct quote and an ask direct quote.
*   **Forward Rates**: [Forward rates](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/forwardrate.asp) are used in foreign exchange contracts to specify the exchange rate for a future date. This rate is agreed upon today but is applied to transactions occurring at a future date. Keep in mind there may be a forward rate direct quote that you won't want to get confused with a current direct quote (i.e. the prevailing rate today).

## What Is a Direct Quote?

A direct quote in foreign currency is a way of expressing the exchange rate by stating the amount of domestic currency needed to purchase one unit of foreign currency. For instance, in the United States, a direct quote for the Euro might be $1.10/€, meaning $1.10 is required to buy one Euro.

## How Is a Direct Quote Different From an Indirect Quote?

The primary difference between a direct quote and an indirect quote lies in their perspectives. A direct quote expresses the amount of domestic currency needed to buy one unit of foreign currency, while an indirect quote shows how much foreign currency can be bought with one unit of domestic currency.

## Why Are Direct Quotes Used in Currency Exchange?

Direct quotes are used in currency exchange because they simplify understanding and transactions for individuals and businesses in the domestic currency. By showing the amount of domestic currency needed to buy foreign currency, direct quotes make it easier for users to understand the rate of exchange.

## How Do You Convert a Direct Quote Into an Indirect Quote?

To convert a direct quote into an indirect quote, you take the reciprocal of the direct quote. For example, if the direct quote is $1.10/€, the indirect quote is calculated by dividing 1 by 1.10, which gives approximately €0.91/$1.00. 

## The Bottom Line

A direct quote in currency exchange shows the amount of domestic currency needed to purchase one unit of foreign currency. This method is widely used in financial markets for its simplicity and is particularly helpful for countries with stable or strong currencies, providing clarity in international transactions.