🧮 How To Build A Calculator & Currency Converter App

Learn how to build a fully functional tool that combines basic math operations with live currency conversion. The Calculator & Currency Converter App by Amaan Shaikh is developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript perfect for sharpening your web development skills through real-world utility.


🧠 About the Project

This application is built using ReactJS and offers two main features:

  1. A Basic Calculator
  2. A Currency Converter (USD to Other Currencies)

The overall component is developed using friendly UI elements with a clean, organized, and engaging interface and also has basic animations to allow a fluent experience. Handles API errors and invalid inputs in a reasonable manner.

🔢 1. Calculator Functionality

The calculator allows users to:

  • Input two numeric values
  • Select an operator (*, +, /, -)
  • Get the computed result with a click on = button

Features:

  • Input validation (ensures all fields are filled)
  • Handles division by zero
  • Real-time feedback on invalid input

Technologies:

  • React useState hook for managing values
  • Dynamic rendering with JSX
  • Minimal styling with pure CSS and animation effects

💱 2. Currency Converter

The currency converter enables conversion from USD to multiple foreign currencies using a live exchange rate API.

How it works:

  • Users enter an amount in USD
  • Select a target currency from a dropdown (first 20 currencies supported)
  • On clicking Convert, the app fetches the latest rates using ExchangeRate-API
  • Displays converted amount with two-decimal precision

Technical Highlights:

  • Uses useEffect for fetching exchange rates when the app loads
  • Maintains state for amount, selected currency, and converted result
  • Handles API errors and invalid inputs gracefully

🎨 UI/UX Design

The app is styled with:

  • A responsive layout (mobile-friendly)
  • Glassmorphism effect for sections
  • Smooth fade-in and slide-in animations
  • Focus styles and hover effects for inputs and buttons

These small elements in the design add value to usability and appearance of the interface without using external CSS libraries.

📦 External Dependencies

  • React (via CDN)
  • ReactDOM
  • Babel (for JSX transformation in-browser)
  • ExchangeRate API: https://api.exchangerate-api.com/v4/latest/USD

🚀 How to Use

  1. It’s as simple as opening the HTML file in a browser (no build necessary).
  2. Use the calculator by entering two numbers and selecting an operator.
  3. Convert currency by entering USD and selecting a currency from the dropdown.
  4. View real-time results right on the screen.

🌐 Final Thoughts

This Calculator & Currency Converter App by Amaan Shaikh is perfect for beginners who want to learn:

  • Covering the basic stuff of React (components, hooks, state).
  • Working with reusable components to create modular UI.
  • API integration and asynchronous handling
  • Creating modular UI with reusable components

If you’re going through interviews or building a portfolio, whether you’re getting started or wanting to add this to your learning experience this still works as a simple, functional app.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *