How to Change Default Currency in Google Keyword Planner

The Bad News: You Can't "Change" It

Let's get the bad news out of the way first. According to Google's official documentation:

"You can't change the currency or timezone of a Google Ads account once it is created."

If you set up your account in USD but moved to Europe, or if you accidentally selected the wrong currency during setup, there is no "Edit" button to save you. But don't worry, there is a solution.

The Solution: Create a New Ad Account (Within the Same Login)

You do not need a new email address. Google allows a single email to manage multiple Google Ads accounts. You can simply create a new "sub-account" with the correct settings.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Account Settings: Log in to Google Ads. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Create New Account: Look for an option that says "Create new account" or a plus (+) icon.
3. Name the Account: Give it a descriptive name like "My Name - EUR".
4. Set Currency & Timezone: This is the critical step. Ensure you select the correct currency (e.g., Euro, GBP, USD) right now. You cannot change this later.
5. Skip Billing (Optional): If you only need to use Keyword Planner, you can often skip the billing setup or set up "Manual Payments" later. You don't necessarily need to add a credit card just to access the planner tools.

Switching Between Currencies

Once created, you can switch between your "USD Account" and your "EUR Account" by clicking your profile picture. When you use Keyword Planner inside the new account, all CPC (Cost Per Click) data will be displayed in your new currency.

Why It Matters

Viewing data in your native currency makes analysis much faster. You don't have to mentally convert "$2.45 CPC" to know if it's expensive in your local market. It also helps with accurate budget forecasting if you plan to run ads later.

Conclusion

While you can't edit the settings of an existing account, creating a lightweight secondary account is a 5-minute fix that solves the problem permanently. Keep your accounts labeled clearly, and you'll never be confused by exchange rates again.