When you see a currency symbol like $, €, or ₹, it might just look like a simple mark—but for many people, especially those sending money home, these symbols carry deeper meaning. They represent more than just a country’s economy. Currencies connect us to family, culture, and the places we call home.
If you use Remitly to send or receive money, you’ve likely come across a wide range of currency signs. Knowing what each one means can make your transactions feel smoother and more secure. This guide will help you recognize the most common currency symbols used around the world, so you can feel confident whether you’re sending funds, making a purchase, or simply reading a receipt.
At Remitly, we believe understanding money should be simple and empowering. Let’s explore the currency symbols that matter most to our global community.
What Are Currency Symbols?
Currency symbols are simple signs that show the type of money used in a country. They help make things faster and easier when you buy something, get a receipt, or send money online. For example:
- $ is the symbol for the US Dollar.
- € shows the Euro.
- ₹ is used for the Indian Rupee.
These symbols usually show a mix of history, language, and local ways of life. Knowing about them is not only useful, but it also helps us see how economies are linked to each other.
Why Currency Symbols Matter
Currency symbols are not only handy, but they are also needed in today’s connected world. Here is how they help:
- International Trade: They make pricing and payment terms in contracts easy to understand.
- Travel: Tourists can quickly see costs and exchange rates.
- Remittances: They make sure that money sent across borders is correct and trustworthy.
- Digital Transactions: Clear currency indicators help people avoid mistakes in e-commerce and online banking.
Comprehensive Currency Symbol Chart
Here is a table that shows some of the most common currency symbols, the matching ISO 4217 codes, and where they are mainly used:
| Symbol | Currency | ISO Code | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ | US Dollar | USD | United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, etc. |
| € | Euro | EUR | Eurozone countries |
| £ | British Pound | GBP | United Kingdom |
| ¥ | Japanese Yen | JPY | Japan |
| ₹ | Indian Rupee | INR | India |
| ₩ | South Korean Won | KRW | South Korea |
| ₺ | Turkish Lira | TRY | Turkey |
| ₽ | Russian Ruble | RUB | Russia |
| R$ | Brazilian Real | BRL | Brazil |
| C$ | Canadian Dollar | CAD | Canada |
| A$ | Australian Dollar | AUD | Australia |
| NZ$ | New Zealand Dollar | NZD | New Zealand |
| CHF | Swiss Franc | CHF | Switzerland |
| ₪ | Israeli New Shekel | ILS | Israel |
| ₫ | Vietnamese Dong | VND | Vietnam |
| ₦ | Nigerian Naira | NGN | Nigeria |
| KSh | Kenyan Shilling | KES | Kenya |
| R | South African Rand | ZAR | South Africa |
| د.إ | UAE Dirham | AED | United Arab Emirates |
| ﷼ | Saudi Riyal | SAR | Saudi Arabia |
| ₱ | Philippine Peso | PHP | Philippines |
| ฿ | Thai Baht | THB | Thailand |
| Rp | Indonesian Rupiah | IDR | Indonesia |
| RM | Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | Malaysia |
| Kč | Czech Koruna | CZK | Czech Republic |
| zł | Polish Złoty | PLN | Poland |
| kr | Krona/Krone | SEK/NOK/DKK | Sweden, Norway, Denmark |
| Ft | Hungarian Forint | HUF | Hungary |
| лв | Bulgarian Lev | BGN | Bulgaria |
| L | Romanian Leu | RON | Romania |
| ₡ | Costa Rican Colón | CRC | Costa Rica |
| Bs | Venezuelan Bolívar | VES | Venezuela |
| ₲ | Paraguayan Guarani | PYG | Paraguay |
| S/. | Peruvian Sol | PEN | Peru |
| $U | Uruguayan Peso | UYU | Uruguay |
| RD$ | Dominican Peso | DOP | Dominican Republic |
| Q | Guatemalan Quetzal | GTQ | Guatemala |
| L | Honduran Lempira | HNL | Honduras |
| C$ | Nicaraguan Córdoba | NIO | Nicaragua |
| B/. | Panamanian Balboa | PAB | Panama |
| ₭ | Lao Kip | LAK | Laos |
| T | Kazakhstani Tenge | KZT | Kazakhstan |
| ₮ | Mongolian Tögrög | MNT | Mongolia |
| د.ك | Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | Kuwait |
| د.ب | Bahraini Dinar | BHD | Bahrain |
| د.ع | Iraqi Dinar | IQD | Iraq |
| د.ل | Libyan Dinar | LYD | Libya |
| د.ت | Tunisian Dinar | TND | Tunisia |
| د.ج | Algerian Dinar | DZD | Algeria |
| د.م | Moroccan Dirham | MAD | Morocco |
| د.ا | Jordanian Dinar | JOD | Jordan |
| د.س | Sudanese Pound | SDG | Sudan |
| د.ي | Yemeni Rial | YER | Yemen |
| ₿ | Bitcoin | BTC | Global |
| Ξ | Ethereum | ETH | Global |
| Ł | Litecoin | LTC | Global |
| ₧ | Stellar Lumens | XLM | Global |
Final Thoughts
No matter if you send money to help loved ones or try to get around in a new country, knowing currency symbols helps you deal with money matters in a clear way. When you use Remitly, each symbol means more than its cash value. It tells stories of support, strong ties, and how people stay close.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between a currency symbol and a currency code?
A symbol is a visual shorthand (like $), while a code (like USD) is used in formal documents and international transactions.
Where should I place the currency symbol—before or after the number?
It depends on the region. In the US, UK, and Canada, it usually comes before (e.g., $100). In many European countries, it follows the number (e.g., 100€).
Can the same symbol represent different currencies?
Yes. For example, $ can mean USD, CAD, AUD, or MXN depending on the context. Always consider the location and currency code.
When should I use a code instead of a symbol?
Use codes in global transactions, banking, or when currencies might be confused due to similar symbols.
How do I type currency symbols on a keyboard?
On Windows and Mac, you can use shortcuts or character maps. Examples:
- Mac: € = Option + Shift + 2, ₹ = Option + Shift + R
- Windows: € = Alt + 0128, £ = Shift + 3
Do cryptocurrency symbols count as currency symbols?
Yes. Digital currencies like Bitcoin (₿) and Ethereum (Ξ) use unique symbols for quick recognition, especially in digital finance.