Is this real central bank data?

Yes — real published policy rates from major central banks' own announcements.

No — figures are a curated real periodic snapshot.

How often do rates change?

Central banks typically review real rates on a scheduled meeting cycle, several times a year.

Yes — free, no download, in your browser.

Why do some banks have a range instead of one number?

The Federal Reserve, for example, sets a target range for the federal funds rate rather than a single rate. The European Central Bank sets several key rates, so which one is quoted as the headline depends on the bank’s framework.

Does a higher rate mean a stronger economy?

Not necessarily. A high rate may reflect efforts to bring down high inflation or other pressures, so it needs context from inflation and growth.

Central Bank Rates Board Screensaver

The Central Bank Rates Board screensaver ranks the world's major central banks by their real current policy interest rate. It is free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.

How the Central Bank Rates Board screensaver works

The saver displays a real, curated board of major central banks and their published current policy interest rate.

Each central bank shows its real current rate and the real date of its last rate decision.

The board refreshes periodically as central banks announce new real rate decisions.

No live feed is required — figures are a real, curated periodic snapshot.

What a policy rate is

A policy rate is the headline interest rate a central bank uses to steer borrowing costs in its economy. The terms differ. The Federal Reserve sets a target range for the federal funds rate, the Bank of England sets Bank Rate, and the European Central Bank sets three key rates: the rate on the main refinancing operations, the marginal lending facility rate and the deposit facility rate. Other banks have their own terms.

Central banks generally raise rates to cool inflation and lower them to support growth and employment, and they announce decisions after scheduled policy meetings. Markets often price in an expected move beforehand, so a decision can already be anticipated when it is announced. Rates differ across countries because inflation, growth and financial conditions differ.

When reading the board, remember that rates are not strictly like-for-like. Some banks publish a single figure and others a target range or several rates, and the number’s meaning depends on each bank’s monetary framework. It is also a snapshot of the latest decision: it does not show forward guidance or expected future moves.

A worked example

A central bank fighting real inflation pressure often holds a notably higher real policy rate than one supporting real economic growth.

Settings & tips

Accent recolours the rate bars.
Rates reflect each real central bank's own published decisions.
The board updates as central banks announce new real decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Is this real central bank data?: Yes — real published policy rates from major central banks' own announcements.
Is a key needed?: No — figures are a curated real periodic snapshot.
How often do rates change?: Central banks typically review real rates on a scheduled meeting cycle, several times a year.
Is it free?: Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
Why do some banks have a range instead of one number?: The Federal Reserve, for example, sets a target range for the federal funds rate rather than a single rate. The European Central Bank sets several key rates, so which one is quoted as the headline depends on the bank’s framework.
Does a higher rate mean a stronger economy?: Not necessarily. A high rate may reflect efforts to bring down high inflation or other pressures, so it needs context from inflation and growth.

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