From $ to ₹: A Journey Through World’s Currency Symbols

Whether you’re shopping online, sending money home, or checking exchange rates, you will always come across a currency symbol. These small signs might seem simple but they actually carry centuries of history, identity, and power. They are a visual shorthand for economies, cultures, and connections.

With millions of our LuLu Money customers sending and receiving money across dozens of countries every day, we are part of a world filled with these symbols. Let’s find some of the world’s most important currency symbols shaping global transactions.

What is a Currency Symbol?

Before knowing about the world’s currency symbols, let’s first see what a currency symbol is. A currency symbol is a graphic sign used to represent the official currency of a country. For example, $ stands for the US Dollar, ¥ for both the Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan, and ₹ for the Indian Rupee.

Here Are the World’s Currency Symbols

For better understanding, we’ve grouped currencies by their symbol families such as Dollar $, Pound £, Rupee ₹, and more. This way, you can find out which countries share the same currency roots.

The Dollar and Peso Family (̌$)

This group includes all currencies that use the dollar sign, either by itself or as part of a more specific symbol, making it one of the most commonly traded families in global exchange rates .

If you are curious to know how these symbols translate in today’s market, check the live exchange rates now!

The Euro Family (€)

€ (Euro) with the currency code EUR is the official currency used in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Vatican City.

The Pound Family (£)

This group includes currencies with the pound sign, either by itself or as part of a more specific symbol.

The Rupee Family (₹, Rs)

This group consists of currencies from South Asia that use a version of the Rupee symbol.

The Yen/Yuan and Won Family (¥, ₩)

These East Asian currencies are grouped by symbols that are unique to the region’s history and trade.

The Franc Family

This group of currencies is mostly used in Africa, originating from historical ties to the French Franc.

Symbols from Local Scripts and Unique Designs

This final group includes currencies with unique symbols, often based on their local language or a specific design.

Now you know about the world’s currency symbols. It’s interesting to know about their actual currency value. Take a look at this chart highlighting the world’s strongest and weakest currencies:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the strongest and weakest currencies in the world?

As of now, the Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) is the strongest currency in terms of exchange rate against the US Dollar, while Lebanese Pound (LBP) is the weakest.

How many official currencies are there in the world today?

Around 180 recognised currencies are in use around the world and this number will vary based on territories and regions that share currencies (like the Eurozone).

Why do certain countries use the same currency symbol?

Certain countries use the same currency symbol since they share the same historical or linguistic origins or to reflect their cultural or national identity.

Is there any difference between a currency code and a currency symbol?

Yes. A currency code is a standardised 3-letter ISO code (like USD, AED, EUR) used in international trade and banking. While a currency symbol is a graphic or visual sign used to represent the official currency of a country.

How are currency symbols chosen or designed?

Currency symbols are usually derived from historical abbreviations or specially designed to reflect a country’s culture and identity and at the same time remaining simple and globally recognizable. Once a symbol is finalized, they are officially approved by the country’s authorities and standardized through Unicode for worldwide use.