The thing about the Jordanian Dinar is that it’s stubborn.
If you’re checking the USD to JOD exchange rate today, you probably already noticed something a bit weird. The number basically doesn't move. While the Japanese Yen or the Euro are bouncing around like a caffeine-fueled toddler, the JOD just sits there.
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Honestly, it’s by design.
As of January 16, 2026, the rate is holding steady at 0.7090. If you go to a bank in Amman, they might buy your dollars at 0.708 and sell them to you at 0.710. It’s been this way since 1995. That’s over three decades of a rock-solid peg.
Why the USD to JOD exchange rate today is actually a lie
Okay, "lie" is a strong word. But "illusion"? Definitely.
Most people think a currency's value is based on how well a country's economy is doing right this second. For Jordan, that’s only half the story. The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) keeps the Dinar pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of $1 to 0.709 JOD.
This means when the US Dollar gets stronger globally—maybe because the Fed decides to hike rates or because everyone is panicking and buying "safe" assets—the Jordanian Dinar gets stronger too.
It’s a packaged deal.
But here’s what you've got to watch out for: the "black market" or the "street rate" doesn't really exist in Jordan like it does in Lebanon or Egypt. Why? Because the CBJ has massive foreign exchange reserves. They had roughly 19.9 billion JOD in the bank at the start of 2026. That is a lot of "defensive" cash to make sure the peg doesn't snap.
The real cost of 0.709
You see the number 0.709 and think, "Cool, it's stable." But for a business owner in Amman importing goods from Europe, a strong USD (and therefore a strong JOD) makes those German machines or Italian shoes way cheaper.
Conversely, if you're a local farmer trying to sell tomatoes to the Gulf, a strong Dinar makes your products more expensive for foreigners. It’s a double-edged sword.
- Fixed Peg: 1 USD = 0.709 JOD
- Effective Buying Rate: ~0.708 JOD
- Effective Selling Rate: ~0.710 JOD
What’s happening with interest rates in 2026?
You can't talk about the exchange rate without talking about interest. Because the JOD is glued to the Dollar, the CBJ usually has to follow whatever the US Federal Reserve does.
If the Fed raises rates to fight inflation in DC, Jordan usually has to raise rates too. If they don't, people would just sell their Dinars, buy Dollars, and stick them in a US bank to get better interest.
Right now, the CBJ main interest rate is sitting at 5.75%.
That’s relatively high, which is great if you have a savings account in Jordan. You’re getting a decent return on a currency that is essentially as stable as the Dollar. But if you’re trying to get a mortgage? Ouch. Personal loans in Jordan are hovering around 9.45% right now.
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It’s the price Jordanians pay for having one of the most stable currencies in the Middle East.
Is the peg at risk this year?
Every time there’s a bit of geopolitical tension, people start whispering. "Will they devalue the Dinar?"
The short answer is: probably not.
S&P Global recently kept Jordan’s credit rating at BB-/B with a stable outlook. That’s basically a formal way of saying, "These guys know how to manage their debt." Even with the regional craziness, the tourism sector in Jordan has been surprisingly resilient, and remittances from Jordanians working in the Gulf keep the hard currency flowing in.
Basically, the only way the USD to JOD exchange rate today changes significantly is if the Central Bank literally runs out of Dollars. And with nearly 20 billion in the vault, that's not happening this afternoon.
The "Tourist Trap" exchange
If you are landing at Queen Alia International Airport today, don't exchange your money at the first counter you see. Seriously.
Airport exchange offices and hotels are notorious for giving you a rate like 0.68 or 0.69. That might not sound like a big deal, but on $1,000, you’re losing 20 or 30 Dinars. That’s a very nice Mansaf dinner.
Go to downtown Amman (Al-Balad). Look for the Al-Alawneh or Western Union signs. They stick much closer to that 0.708–0.709 spread.
Actionable steps for your money
If you’re holding JOD or planning to move money into Jordan, here is the play for 2026:
- Don't hedge against devaluation: Unlike the Egyptian Pound or the Turkish Lira, there is zero evidence of a looming devaluation for the JOD. Don't waste money on expensive hedging instruments.
- Watch the Fed, not just the CBJ: If you want to know where Jordanian interest rates are going, watch Jerome Powell in Washington. The CBJ is a fast follower.
- Transfer via Apps: If you're sending money from the US to Jordan, services like Wise or Revolut are often better than traditional bank wires, though their JOD liquidity can sometimes be thin. Compare the mid-market rate against their fee.
- Keep it in JOD for yield: If you have the choice of keeping your savings in USD or JOD in a Jordanian bank, the JOD usually offers a higher interest rate (the "risk premium") for the exact same peg. It’s a common local strategy for a reason.
The USD to JOD exchange rate today is a pillar of Jordan's economy. It makes life predictable in a region that is anything but. Whether you're an expat sending money home or a business managing imports, that 0.709 number is your north star. Just make sure you aren't losing 3% of it to a greedy exchange booth at the airport.
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Keep an eye on the foreign reserves reports from the Central Bank; as long as that number stays high, your Dinars are safe.