The Ultimate Guide to Currency Symbols: What They Mean and Why They Matter

Crack the code: Unveiling currency symbols like $, €, £, and more from the money transfer experts at Remitly.

Currencies of the world: bills of the different countries
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Irene Keliher writes about international finance, global lifestyle, and the diverse Remitly community. As a content strategist, she brings human stories to life while helping customers navigate cross-border money movement.

Currency symbols are not just marks on a screen or paper. They are strong symbols of a country’s economy, culture, and history. For Remitly customers, these symbols mean more than just money. They also stand for ties to family and their home countries.

What Are Currency Symbols?

Currency symbols are short signs that represent different types of money in transactions. They make it easier to talk about money by using simple symbols instead of long currency names. For example, “$” stands for the US dollar, and “€” is for the euro.

These symbols often come from history, language, or culture. Knowing them helps us understand money better, especially in our connected world.

Why Currency Symbols Matter

Currency symbols play a crucial role in:​

  • International Trade: Making pricing and contracts clear when doing business with other countries.
  • Travel: Assisting travelers in finding costs quickly in other countries.
  • Remittances: Making sure money transfers to family and friends in other places are quick and easy.
  • Digital Transactions: Offering clear options for online shopping and banking.

Comprehensive Currency Symbol Chart

Below is a clear chart showing currency symbols. It includes their currencies, ISO 4217 codes, and the countries or regions where they are used.

Currency Symbol Currency Name ISO Code Country/Region
$ US Dollar USD United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, etc.
Euro EUR Eurozone countries
£ British Pound Sterling 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
Czech Koruna CZK Czech Republic
Polish Złoty PLN Poland
kr Swedish Krona SEK Sweden
kr Norwegian Krone NOK Norway
kr Danish Krone DKK 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 (Cryptocurrency)
Ξ Ethereum ETH Global (Cryptocurrency)
Ł Litecoin LTC Global (Cryptocurrency)
Stellar Lumens XLM Global (Cryptocurrency)

Final Thoughts

From daily buys to transfers between countries, currency symbols change how we deal with money. Knowing what these symbols stand for helps us move through a global economy with more confidence. For the Remitly community, each symbol shows a special link to home.

No matter if you are sending money to another country, looking at global markets, or just wondering what that symbol on your receipt means, this guide will help you. Money isn’t only about numbers—it’s about people, goals, and pride.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Currency Symbols

What is the difference between a currency symbol and a currency code?

A currency symbol is a picture or mark that shows a currency in a simple way. For example, $ stands for US dollars and ₹ stands for Indian rupees. A currency code is a three-letter short form, like USD or INR. It is used in formal settings, such as bank transfers or travel bookings.

Should the currency symbol go before or after the amount?

It depends on your location. In many English-speaking countries, the symbol is placed before the amount (like $100). However, in several European or Asian countries, the symbol usually comes after the number (like 100€). If you are unsure, use the common practice for that area.

Can the same symbol be used for different currencies?

Yes, and this is why you need to look at the context. For instance, the dollar sign ($) can mean USD (United States Dollar), CAD (Canadian Dollar), AUD (Australian Dollar), or MXN (Mexican Peso), depending on where you are.

When should I use a currency code instead of a symbol?

Use the code when it is important to be clear. This happens in international documents or websites where several currencies are used. It helps avoid mix-ups between symbols that look alike.

How can I type currency symbols on my keyboard?

Most devices have easy shortcuts:

  • On Mac:
    • €: Option + Shift + 2
    • £: Option + 3
    • ₹: Option + Shift + R
  • On Windows:
    • $: Shift + 4
    • €: Alt + 0128 (on the numeric keypad)
    • £: Shift + 3

Why do currency symbols matter when sending money internationally?

They help you send and receive the right amount. They also make transactions clear, lower mistakes, and build trust with money services like Remitly.

Are cryptocurrency symbols included as currency?

Yes! Digital currencies like Bitcoin (₿), Ethereum (Ξ), and more are becoming common. Even though they are not linked to countries, their symbols help users by providing a quick reference.