Global Money Symbols Complete Guide: Quick Reference to Country Currency Codes and Input Methods

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In foreign exchange trading and international investments, correctly recognizing each country’s currency symbols is crucial. From the dollar ($) to the euro (€), each symbol represents a different country’s currency identity. As traders or investors, mastering these symbols not only helps us quickly identify currency pairs but also improves efficiency when recording transactions and communicating quotes.

What is the role of currency symbols in trading?

In financial markets, the core value of currency symbols lies in quick recognition and efficient communication. Compared to writing out “40 US dollars,” the concise “$40” saves space and makes it easier to read on trading platforms, reports, and international emails.

For forex traders, the significance of currency symbols is even deeper. When we see the euro symbol (€), we immediately think of related currency pairs like EUR/USD (Euro to US dollar) or EUR/JPY (Euro to Japanese Yen). This visual quick response is vital in high-frequency trading and real-time monitoring.

Additionally, standardized currency notation on various trading platforms and settlement systems eliminates communication barriers and ensures accurate understanding of currency units between trading parties.

Overview of country currency codes and symbols

The following table summarizes the currency symbols of major trading markets and economies worldwide to help you quickly reference:

Continent Country/Region Currency Name Currency Code Currency Symbol
Americas USA US Dollar USD $
Canada Canadian Dollar CAD $
Brazil Brazilian Real BRL R$
Asia China Renminbi (Yuan) CNY
Taiwan New Taiwan Dollar TWD NT$
Hong Kong Hong Kong Dollar HKD HK$
Japan Japanese Yen JPY ¥
Singapore Singapore Dollar SGD S$
Korea South Korean Won KRW
India Indian Rupee INR
Indonesia Indonesian Rupiah IDR Rp
Malaysia Malaysian Ringgit MYR RM
Philippines Philippine Peso PHP
Thailand Thai Baht THB ฿
Vietnam Vietnamese Dong VND
Oceania Australia Australian Dollar AUD A$
New Zealand New Zealand Dollar NZD NZ$
Europe UK British Pound GBP £
Eurozone Euro EUR
Russia Russian Ruble RUB
Ukraine Ukrainian Hryvnia UAH
Turkey Turkish Lira TRY
Middle East & Africa UAE UAE Dirham AED د.إ
Israel Israeli Shekel ILS
Nigeria Nigerian Naira NGN
Kenya Kenyan Shilling KES Ksh
South Africa South African Rand ZAR R

Quick tips for inputting common currency symbols

How to quickly type these currency symbols on Mac and Windows?

Currency Code Symbol Mac Shortcut Windows Shortcut
Euro EUR Shift + Option + 2 Alt + E
Pound Sterling GBP £ Option + 3 Alt + L
US Dollar USD $ Shift + 4 Shift + 4
Yen JPY ¥ Option + Y Alt + Y

Tip: Many trading platforms and word processors have built-in symbol input features. In Word, Google Docs, etc., you can use “Insert → Special Characters” to find the desired currency symbol quickly.

Commonly confused multi-purpose currency symbols

Not all currency symbols represent only one currency. Several symbols have different meanings in different countries and contexts:

¥ symbol’s dual identity

The “¥” symbol is widely used in Asia but has different currencies:

  • In China, it represents Renminbi (CNY¥)
  • In Japan, it represents Yen (JPY¥)

To avoid confusion, international transactions often specify the currency with country code, e.g., “CNY¥100” for 100 yuan Renminbi, “JPY¥100” for 100 Yen.

$ symbol used worldwide

The “$” symbol is perhaps the most easily confused. Over 30 countries use “$” as their currency symbol:

Currency Name Country Distinguishing Symbol
US Dollar USA US$
Canadian Dollar Canada C$
New Taiwan Dollar Taiwan NT$
Hong Kong Dollar Hong Kong HK$
Singapore Dollar Singapore S$
Australian Dollar Australia A$
New Zealand Dollar New Zealand NZ$
Brazilian Real Brazil R$

In formal international transactions and reports, always use the full distinguishing symbol (e.g., US$, HK$) to avoid ambiguity.

฿ symbol’s cross-domain usage

The “฿” symbol represents different things in two completely different fields:

  • In forex: represents the Thai currency “Baht”
  • In cryptocurrency: stands for “Bitcoin”

With the rise of cryptocurrencies, users need to interpret “฿” based on context—whether referring to fiat currency or digital assets.

Understanding currency pairs in forex trading

In the forex market, you often see notations like “EUR/USD” or “GBP/JPY,” called currency pairs.

Currency pairs show the exchange rate between two different currencies. For example:

  • EUR/USD: How many US dollars one euro can buy
  • GBP/JPY: How many Japanese Yen one British Pound can buy
  • USD/CNY: How many Chinese Yuan one US dollar can buy

In any currency pair, the first currency code is the base currency, and the second is the quote currency. For example, USD/GBP = 1.27 means 1 US dollar (base) equals 1.27 British Pounds (quote).

Investors trade these pairs by buying or selling to profit from exchange rate fluctuations. Mastering how to read and interpret currency pairs is the first step to becoming a professional trader.


Quick summary: Whether you’re trading forex, making international transfers, or investing across borders, accurately understanding and using country currency symbols is fundamental. With the above currency symbol reference and input tips, you can quickly find the information you need and improve your efficiency. Next time you see unfamiliar symbols on a trading platform, refer to this guide to confirm which currency they represent.

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