Understanding the GBP/JPY exchange rate
1 GBP equals 217 JPY at the European Central Bank reference rate published 28 August 2026 (1 GBP = 216.886 JPY). The GBP/JPY rate tells you how many Japanese Yen you get for one British Pound. When the rate goes up, the British Pound is strengthening against the Japanese Yen. When it falls, Japanese Yen is gaining ground. The number on this page is the European Central Bank's daily reference rate — the mid-market midpoint that banks use when they trade with each other, published every business day at 16:00 Central European Time.
This is the fairest single benchmark to compare quotes against. It is not the rate your bank, card, or bureau will give you retail — those providers add a margin. But it's the number every honest quote should be close to.
GBP to JPY conversion table
Common British Pound amounts converted to Japanese Yen at the reference rate and reference date shown above:
| Amount in GBP | Converts to JPY | Rate date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GBP | 217 JPY | |
| 5 GBP | 1,084 JPY | |
| 10 GBP | 2,169 JPY | |
| 25 GBP | 5,422 JPY | |
| 50 GBP | 10,844 JPY | |
| 100 GBP | 21,689 JPY | |
| 250 GBP | 54,221 JPY | |
| 500 GBP | 108,443 JPY | |
| 1,000 GBP | 216,886 JPY | |
| 5,000 GBP | 1,084,429 JPY |
What moves the GBP/JPY pair
- Interest rate decisions. When the central bank behind British Pound raises rates faster than the one behind Japanese Yen, GBP typically strengthens. Watch the Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan calendars.
- Inflation surprises. Higher-than-expected inflation usually weakens a currency short-term but can strengthen it if markets expect the central bank to hike aggressively.
- Growth and jobs data. Strong GDP, retail sales, and non-farm payrolls readings tend to lift a currency; weak data does the opposite.
- Risk sentiment. In periods of global stress, "safe-haven" currencies like the US dollar, Swiss franc, and Japanese yen gain against riskier ones.
- Commodity prices. Currencies of resource-heavy economies (CAD, AUD, NOK, BRL, ZAR) rise and fall with oil, metals, and agricultural prices.
- Political and fiscal news. Elections, budget announcements, and geopolitical events can move rates within minutes.
About the British Pound and Japanese Yen
British Pound (GBP). The official currency of the United Kingdom, the Pound Sterling is one of the oldest currencies still in use today.
Japanese Yen (JPY). The official currency of Japan, the Yen is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market.
How to get a good GBP to JPY rate
The rate you get depends on where you convert, not just when. Rather than quote markup averages we cannot verify per provider, here is the method that always works:
- Ask for the exact rate the provider will apply to GBP → JPY today, plus any fixed fee, before you commit.
- Compute the markup yourself: (reference rate ÷ their rate − 1) × 100. That single number exposes a spread hidden inside a "zero commission" offer.
- Compare on the total, not the headline: markup plus fee, for the amount you are actually sending.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion at card terminals — it hands rate-setting to the merchant's bank instead of yours.
- Check the reference date. ECB rates publish once per business day, so a weekend quote is compared against Friday's benchmark.
Our rate methodology documents exactly how the GBP/JPY figure on this page is sourced, crossed and rounded. See also our guides on avoiding hidden exchange fees and when to exchange currency.
The reverse rate: JPY to GBP
1 JPY = 0.0046107 GBP on the 2026-08-28 ECB reference date. Both directions are computed from the same ECB publication, so they are exact reciprocals of one another rather than two separately rounded numbers. Open the JPY to GBP page to convert the other way.
Frequently asked about GBP to JPY
What is the current GBP to JPY exchange rate?
1 GBP equals 217 JPY at the European Central Bank reference rate published 28 August 2026 (1 GBP = 216.886 JPY). This is the ECB daily mid-market reference rate. The calculator at the top of this page and the 30-day chart below it show how the rate has moved.
Is the ECB rate the rate my bank uses?
No. Banks and exchange services add a margin on top of the mid-market rate. The ECB reference is a benchmark for comparison, not a retail quote.
When does the GBP/JPY rate update?
The wholesale interbank rate moves continuously during market hours. The ECB publishes one reference number per business day at approximately 16:00 CET. Weekends and eurozone bank holidays carry Friday's number forward.
How do I convert a specific amount of GBP to JPY?
Use the conversion table on this page for common amounts, or type any value into the calculator at the top — the result updates instantly against the same ECB reference rate.