Top 20 Currency Symbols Every Forex Trader Must Know

Currency symbols are shorthand graphical representations of currencies, like $ for the U.S. dollar, € for the euro, and ¥ for the yen. Meanwhile, ISO 4217 codes, such as USD, EUR, or JPY, standardise currency identification in trading platforms, financial reports, and quoting conventions. 

In forex, traders work with pairs like EUR/USD, where the first ISO code is the base currency and the second is the quote currency.

In this guide, you'll learn the top 20 symbols used worldwide, their origins, and why they matter for traders in 2025.

Top 20 Currency Symbols You Must Know

1. $ – U.S. Dollar (USD)

The universal symbol for the U.S. dollar, used in most quotes. It originated from the abbreviation of the Spanish peso and remains the foundation of almost all forex trading.

2. € – Euro (EUR)

Symbol for the euro, combining Greek epsilon and the letter "E." Represents the currency of the eurozone and the second most traded currency globally.

3. ¥ – Japanese Yen (JPY)

Applied to both the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, although in forex markets, the JPY code prevails in pair quotations such as USD/JPY.

4. £ – British Pound Sterling (GBP)

Denotes the British pound, often called "Cable" in trading slang. Pound liquidity and volatility make GBP/USD a core pair.

5. ₣ or Fr – Swiss Franc (CHF)

Although officially shown as "CHF," the franc is often displayed without a symbol in trading. In general usage, Fr is also used alongside the ISO code.

6. A$ – Australian Dollar (AUD)

A dollar sign prefixed with "A." A commodity currency linked to metal prices, often included in forex quotes and newsfeeds.

7. C$ – Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Used in forex platforms to distinguish from other dollar currencies, especially in pairs like USD/CAD. Also called the "Loonie."

8. NZ$ – New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

The currency symbol for the New Zealand dollar is another commodity currency that often trades in AUD/NZD pairings.

9. CN¥ / ¥ – Chinese Yuan / Offshore Renminbi (CNY / CNH)

The onshore yuan uses the CNY code while offshore CNH appears in forex platforms. The identical ¥ symbol frequently confuses traders, making ISO codes essential to know.

10. ₹ – Indian Rupee (INR)

Although less prominent, the INR warrants recognition in forex and is commonly used across South Asia. This symbol combines the Latin "R" with Devanagari "ra."

11. ₨ – Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Nepalese Rupee (PKR, LKR, NPR)

This ligature stands for multiple rupee currencies. For forex trading involving PKR pairs, recognising ₨ helps avoid mix-ups.

12. ₺ – Turkish Lira (TRY)

Turkish currency uses the ₺ symbol. TRT trades are increasingly active, especially amid geopolitical volatility.

13. ₽ – Russian Ruble (RUB)

Widely used in charts and news, though forex platforms rely on the ISO code RUB rather than the symbol.

14. ₩ – South Korean Won (KRW)

Important for Asian traders and macro portfolios. Recognising ₩ helps when scanning regional news feeds.

15. ฿ – Thai Baht (THB)

Not to be confused with the Bitcoin symbol, international references to Thai Baht use ฿.

16. ₪ – Israeli Shekel (ILS)

Less common in retail forex but used in economic news and local quotes.

17. R$ – Brazilian Real (BRL)

Denoted with an R and a dollar sign. Commodity-driven currency, significant in USD/BRL and cross-pairs.

18. ₦ – Nigerian Naira (NGN)

Used in African currency trading and macro coverage, often seen in news about emerging markets.

19. ฿ (Bitcoin) – Digital Currency

Used symbolically for Bitcoin trading. While not fiat, forex platforms increasingly integrate with crypto markets, so recognising the same glyph helps avoid confusion.

20. Emerging currencies via codes

Remaining currencies such as the Polish złoty (PLN), Hungarian forint (HUF), or UAE dirham (AED) seldom have unique symbols, making familiarity with ISO guidelines crucial.

How Currency Symbols Appear in Forex Trading Platforms

Trading platforms typically show six-character pairs that combine two ISO codes. For example, EURUSD. Symbols like $, €, or £ may appear in account balances or reports. 

While the platform may not show every symbol graphically, understanding them helps interpret profit/loss displays, tickers, and regional news.

Practical Tips for Traders

When scanning charts or economic releases, always match symbols to ISO codes. Use platform tutorials or symbol legends if uncertain. Pay attention to regional reports using symbols like ₹ or ₨—they often link to local events or policies that may affect crossover pairs. 

Lastly, always check tickers before trade entries, as trading USD/BTC instead of USD/THB by accident can lead to significant losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is the Difference Between a Currency Symbol and an Iso Currency Code?

Answer:

Currency symbols are visual representations (like £ for the British pound), while ISO codes are standardised three-letter codes (like GBP). Forex platforms utilise ISO codes for precision, but symbols often appear in charts, headlines, and reports.

2. Why Do Some Currency Symbols Look the Same, Like $ for USD, CAD, and AUD?

Answer:

The dollar sign ($) is shared among multiple currencies. To avoid confusion, traders rely on ISO codes such as USD (U.S. Dollar), CAD (Canadian Dollar), and AUD (Australian Dollar) when reading quotes and placing trades.

3. Do Trading Platforms Show Currency Symbols or Iso Codes?

Answer:

Most trading platforms display ISO currency codes (e.g., EUR/USD) to ensure consistency and avoid ambiguity. However, symbols like $, €, and £ may appear in wallet balances, account statements, or regional newsfeeds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding and recognising currency symbols and ISO codes is a core skill for forex traders. It ensures clarity when interpreting charts, quotes, news, and reports across global and regional sources. 

The top 20 symbols listed above cover nearly all major and emerging currencies relevant to forex strategies. By learning them, you reduce risk, improve accuracy, and trade more confidently across markets.

Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.