A guide to world currency symbols

From £ and $ to € and ¥, different currencies have their own symbols to help you recognise them at a glance. You’ll see them when you’re shopping online, travelling or sending money abroad. But symbols don’t always tell you the whole story – the same $ can represent several different currencies. That’s where currency codes come in.

So what do all those symbols and codes actually mean, and how do they work together? 

What’s the difference between currency symbols and codes?

Currency symbols act as a quick visual shorthand for currencies. Instead of writing out ‘dollars’ or ‘euros’ every time, you just use $ or €.

Currency codes are the official three-letter codes used in international banking and finance (like GBP and USD).

Recognising symbols and codes can help you make sense of prices and avoid confusion when spending or sending money. If you see a $ symbol, for example, it could mean US dollars, Canadian dollars or one of several other currencies. So checking the currency code helps you work out what you’ll actually pay.

Common currency symbols

Here are some of the most widely recognised world currency symbols. Need to check how much your money is worth before you buy something? Use our currency converter to see the live mid-market rate.

Currency symbols for different countries

When you look at currency symbols for different countries, you’ll notice a lot of variety. Some currencies have their own distinctive symbol, while others share symbols with currencies elsewhere in the world.

• Shared symbols: the $ symbol is a bit of a globetrotter – it doesn’t just represent the US dollar. You’ll also see it used for currencies including the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and Mexican peso. That’s why it’s important to check the three-letter currency code.

• Distinctive symbols: some currencies have their own distinctive symbols, like ₹ for the Indian rupee and € for the euro.

• Regional variations: some countries use letters as their symbol instead of a special character. For example, you’ll see ‘kr’ for the Swedish krona and ‘R’ for the South African rand.

Currency symbols by continent

European currency symbols

Europe has a mix of shared and independent currencies. The € is shared across the Eurozone, while other countries maintain their own money.

Asian currency symbols

Asia has a wide range of currencies. You’ll notice some symbol similarities, like the ¥ being used in multiple countries for different currencies.

Currency symbols of the Americas

Many countries in the Americas use the $ symbol – but not all dollars (or pesos) are created equal. Check the currency code alongside it so you know exactly what you’re looking at.

African currency symbols

African currencies use a mix of symbol styles. You’ll see a combination of letters and symbols across the continent.

Currency symbols of Oceania

In Oceania, the $ symbol is widely used, but it represents different local currencies. 

How to use currency symbols when spending or travelling

Recognising symbols and codes helps you understand which currency you’re paying in. But this is only part of the picture – the exchange rate and any fees also can affect how much you actually pay.

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Questions? Answers.

What are the most common currency symbols?

The most common currency symbols are the dollar ($), euro (€), pound (£), and yen (¥). Other widely used symbols include the Swiss franc (Fr), the Indian rupee (₹), and the Chinese yuan (¥), which shares its symbol with the yen, making context important when reading prices.

What’s the difference between a currency symbol and a currency code?

A currency symbol is a visual shorthand (like £), while a currency code is a three-letter abbreviation used in banking (like GBP). Three-letter currency codes like GBP and USD follow the ISO 4217 standard, which is used by banks, foreign exchange markets, and international payment systems to avoid any ambiguity. When sending money internationally, you’ll often see the currency code used rather than the symbol, as it helps avoid confusion between currencies that share the same symbol.

Why do some countries use the same currency symbol?

Some countries share symbols because of historical ties or because the symbol represents a word like ‘dollar’ or ‘peso’. For example, the dollar sign ($) is used in many countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and several nations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Checking the currency code – for example USD, CAD or AUD – is the clearest way to avoid confusion.

Does the currency symbol go before or after the number?

Where the symbol appears depends on the currency and local convention. For example, in the UK you’ll usually see £10, while in many other regions, the symbol or code is placed after the number - for instance, in France and Germany you might see 10 € or 25 €. 

Sources: ^1 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2091, List of closely correlated currencies.