Complete Guide to Currency Symbols of Different Countries | Full Input Methods for Dollar Sign, Euro Sign, and More

The Importance and Application of Currency Symbols

What are currency symbols? They are visual shorthand symbols used to quickly identify the currencies of different countries and regions. As international investors, mastering the correct usage of currency symbols can help us rapidly recognize exchange rate fluctuations, track value changes, and make forex trading more convenient. For example, when we see the euro symbol (€), we immediately know it involves euro-related currency pairs, such as EUR/USD or EUR/JPY.

Why use symbols? Simply put, writing “$40” is much quicker and more convenient than writing “40 USD,” and it is easier to read. The core function of currency symbols is to eliminate complex writing, providing an instant and efficient way to identify currencies.

Major Global Currency Symbols Overview

Below is a compilation of currency information for major countries across continents for your reference:

Americas

• United States: US Dollar (USD) symbol is $
• Canada: Canadian Dollar (CAD) symbol is $ (often written as C$)
• Brazil: Brazilian Real (BRL) symbol is R$

Asia

• China: Renminbi (CNY) symbol is ￥ or 元
• Taiwan: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) symbol is NT$
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) symbol is $ or HK$
• Japan: Yen (JPY) symbol is ¥
• Singapore: Singapore Dollar (SGD) symbol is $
• South Korea: South Korean Won (KRW) symbol is ₩
• India: Indian Rupee (INR) symbol is ₹
• Indonesia: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) symbol is Rp
• Malaysia: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) symbol is RM
• Philippines: Philippine Peso (PHP) symbol is ₱
• Thailand: Thai Baht (THB) symbol is ฿
• Vietnam: Vietnamese Dong (VND) symbol is ₫

Oceania

• Australia: Australian Dollar (AUD) symbol is $
• New Zealand: New Zealand Dollar (NZD) symbol is $

Europe

• United Kingdom: Pound Sterling (GBP) symbol is £
• Eurozone: Euro (EUR) symbol is €
• Russia: Russian Ruble (RUB) symbol is ₽
• Ukraine: Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH) symbol is ₴
• Turkey: Turkish Lira (TRY) symbol is ₺

Middle East and Africa

• UAE: Dirham (AED) symbol is د.إ
• Israel: New Shekel (ILS) symbol is ₪
• Nigeria: Naira (NGN) symbol is ₦
• Kenya: Kenyan Shilling (KES) symbol is Ksh
• South Africa: Rand (ZAR) symbol is R

Keyboard Input Tips for Common Currency Symbols

Want to quickly input common currency symbols like € or $? Here are shortcut methods for Mac and Windows systems:

Euro (€)

• Mac: Press Shift + Option + 2
• Windows: Press Alt + E

Pound (£)

• Mac: Press Option + 3
• Windows: Press Alt + L

Dollar ($)

• Mac: Press Shift + 4
• Windows: Press Shift + 4

Yen (¥)

• Mac: Press Option + Y

Commonly Confused Currency Symbols

In actual trading, some symbols often cause confusion and require special attention:

￥ Symbol’s Dual Identity

The “￥” symbol represents different currencies in different countries. In Japan, it indicates Yen (JPY); in China, it indicates Renminbi (CNY). To avoid misunderstandings, investors usually specify clearly: writing “CNY￥100” means 100 yuan Renminbi, while “JPY￥100” means 100 Yen.

The “$” Symbol’s Wide Usage

Seeing the “$” symbol, many people instinctively think of USD. However, over 30 countries use “$” as their local currency symbol. Common distinctions include:

• US Dollar: US$
• New Taiwan Dollar: NT$
• Canadian Dollar: C$
• Brazilian Real: R$
• Hong Kong Dollar: HK$
• Singapore Dollar: S$
• Australian Dollar: A$
• New Zealand Dollar: NZ$

฿ Symbol’s Different Meanings in Different Fields

The “฿” symbol usually represents the Thai Baht (THB) in forex markets, but in the cryptocurrency domain, it denotes Bitcoin. Therefore, always interpret based on context during trading.

Explanation of Forex Currency Pairs

What are forex currency pairs?

Forex currency pairs refer to the exchange rate between two different currencies. For example, EUR/USD represents the euro to US dollar exchange rate, while GBP/JPY indicates the British pound to Japanese yen exchange rate. Investors buy or sell one currency to exchange for another in the forex market, seeking profit opportunities.

Structure of Currency Pairs

Taking USD/GBP as an example, it signifies the exchange rate of US dollars relative to British pounds, i.e., how many pounds one dollar can buy. In this pairing:

• USD at the front is called the base currency (or standard currency)
• GBP at the back is called the quote currency or counter currency

Understanding the structure of currency pairs is crucial for correct exchange rate analysis and trading decisions.