Forex Trading Must-Know: Quick Reference for Global Currency Symbols + Input Tips All in One

Why Traders Must Master Currency Symbols of Different Countries

When trading forex, you will frequently encounter various currency symbols such as the US dollar, euro, and British pound. These seemingly simple symbols are actually the foundation of the international financial language—they allow you to instantly identify the currency type, track exchange rate fluctuations, and quickly make trading decisions. Instead of writing out “40 US dollars” each time, using “$40” not only saves time but also avoids confusion. For those who frequently trade currency pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY, familiarizing yourself with these symbols is like mastering a quick translation system.

Overview of Major Country Currency Symbols Globally

Below is a quick reference table of commonly used currency symbols across continents:

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

Tips for Quickly Typing Common Currency Symbols on Keyboard

How to type euro, pound, and dollar symbols? Here are shortcut keys for Mac and Windows systems:

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 Numeric keypad Alt+165

Mastering these shortcuts allows you to quickly insert currency symbols during trading, reporting, or analysis, improving efficiency.

Beware of Confusing Symbols: Commonly Misinterpreted Currency Symbols

¥ Symbol’s Dual Identity

The same “¥” symbol represents different currencies in different countries. Japan uses it for Yen (JPY), while China uses it for Renminbi (CNY). To avoid confusion, add the currency code: CNY¥100 means “100 yuan Renminbi,” while JPY¥100 means “100 Yen.”

$ Symbol’s “Universality”

The “$” symbol appears to represent the US dollar, but in fact, over 30 countries use it as a currency symbol. Common examples include:

Currency Name Symbol Variations
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$

When trading, remember to add the country abbreviation to accurately specify the currency.

฿ Symbol’s Identity Shift

In forex, “฿” usually represents the Thai currency—Baht. However, in the cryptocurrency world, the same “฿” symbol is used to denote Bitcoin, which is a completely different asset class. It’s important to interpret the symbol based on the trading environment.

Core Logic of Forex Currency Pairs

When you see currency pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY, you’re actually looking at the exchange rate between two currencies. For example, USD/GBP indicates how many British pounds one US dollar can buy, with USD being the base currency and GBP the quote currency.

Investors buy or sell a currency to exchange it for another, seeking profit from exchange rate fluctuations. Understanding this logic, along with familiarity with currency symbols, enables you to more keenly capture market opportunities.

Summary

Mastering global currency symbols is not only fundamental but also a prerequisite for efficient forex trading. From the US dollar to the British pound, from shortcut input to symbol distinctions, these seemingly trivial details can save time and reduce misunderstandings in actual trading. Next time you encounter an unfamiliar currency symbol, you’ll be able to quickly look it up and make accurate judgments.

View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
  • Reward
  • Comment
  • Repost
  • Share
Comment
0/400
No comments
  • Pin

Trade Crypto Anywhere Anytime
qrCode
Scan to download Gate App
Community
  • 简体中文
  • English
  • Tiếng Việt
  • 繁體中文
  • Español
  • Русский
  • Français (Afrique)
  • Português (Portugal)
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • بالعربية
  • Українська
  • Português (Brasil)