Currency Symbols Reference

Where it comes from

Currency symbols are short marks that stand in for a currency's full name in prices and accounts. Their three letter codes are governed by ISO 4217, the standard that assigns USD, EUR, GBP, and the rest, so software and banks agree on which currency is meant even when two currencies share a symbol. Each symbol also has a fixed Unicode code point, which is what lets it display the same way across fonts and systems.

How to use it

Use the ISO code when there is any risk of confusion, since the dollar sign alone covers many currencies and the pound sign is shared as well. The code is unambiguous and is what you want in databases, invoices, and exchange rates. Reach for the symbol in display text where the context is already clear. The Unicode column gives the code point, so you can enter a symbol that is not on your keyboard, for example by using the numeric HTML entity or your editor's insert character tool.

This page is a standing reference at a fixed URL, built to be linked and cited. The data here is compiled from ISO 4217 currency codes and the Unicode Standard character database.