A comprehensive list of global currency symbols. Do you know how to use these Euro and Dollar symbols?

In financial trading, we deal with various currency symbols every day. Whether it’s trading forex, making international payments, or focusing on global investment opportunities, mastering the correct usage of currency symbols is fundamental. Today, let’s systematically review the symbols of major global currencies and how to quickly input these symbols on your computer.

Why Should You Understand Currency Symbols?

Currency symbols are essentially simplified markers used to quickly identify currencies from different countries and regions. Compared to writing “100 USD,” directly writing “$100” is more convenient and clear, which highlights the usefulness of currency symbols.

In the foreign exchange market, currency symbols are even more critical. When you see € (Euro symbol), you immediately associate it with the Eurozone economy and euro-related trading pairs (such as EUR/USD). This quick recognition ability is vital for investors to track currency value fluctuations and develop trading strategies.

More importantly, different currency symbols represent varying national economic strengths and international status, making them essential in scenarios like international trade, cross-border payments, and forex markets.

Complete Table of Global Currency Symbols

How to Quickly Input Currency Symbols from Different Countries?

Mastering shortcut keys is key to improving efficiency. Here are common methods for inputting currency symbols via keyboard:

Euro (€):

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

Pound (£):

• Mac: Option + 3
• Windows: Alt + L

Dollar ($):

• Mac and Windows: Shift + 4

Yen (¥):

• Mac: Option + Y
• Windows: Alt + Y

Renminbi (￥):

• Windows: Can be directly input via IME
• Mac: Option + Y

Be Careful Not to Confuse These Similar Symbols

￥ Symbol’s Dual Identity: ￥ can represent Chinese Renminbi (CNY) and also Yen (JPY). To avoid confusion, it’s recommended to add the currency code in front, e.g., “CNY￥100” for 100 RMB, “JPY¥100” for 100 Yen.

$ Symbol Used in Multiple Countries: Over 30 countries use $ as their currency symbol, including:

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

฿ Symbol’s Identity Shift: In forex, ฿ represents the Thai Baht, but in cryptocurrency, the same symbol is used for Bitcoin.

Single Currency Symbols vs Forex Currency Pairs

Single currency symbols are used to mark specific currencies, such as the dollar ($), euro (€), or yuan (￥). They are most widely used in financial transactions, accounting, and daily consumption.

Forex currency pairs consist of two different currencies and represent their exchange rate. For example, EUR/USD indicates the euro to US dollar rate, showing how many USD one euro equals. In this currency pair, the euro is called the “base currency,” and the USD is the “quote currency.”

Investors profit by buying and selling different currency pairs in the forex market. For example, if you expect the euro to appreciate, you might buy EUR/USD, anticipating the euro will strengthen against the dollar.

Why Must Investors Master These?

In international investing and forex trading, correctly recognizing and using currency symbols directly impacts transaction accuracy. Misidentifying currencies can lead to misallocation of funds, especially when managing multi-currency portfolios.

Additionally, understanding the logic behind major global currency symbols and forex pairs helps you quickly spot market opportunities and develop more precise trading strategies. Whether you’re a newcomer to forex or an experienced investor, these foundational skills are worth reviewing regularly.