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National Currency of All Countries: List, Codes, and Symbols

National Currency of Countries Explained with Codes and Symbols

The national currency of all countries may look like a simple list. The subject becomes more complex when two countries use the same currency name or one country accepts several forms of legal tender. The dollar sign alone can refer to the US dollar, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Singapore dollar, and many others. This guide solves that problem with a complete list of currency names, ISO currency codes, symbols, and useful notes.

The list covers the 193 United Nations member states plus Palestine and Vatican City. Kosovo and Taiwan appear separately because readers often include them in world currency searches. Currency codes follow ISO 4217, the international standard used by banks, payment systems, airlines, traders, and accounting software. The information was checked against the official ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency and current monetary sources. The most important recent change is Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro on January 1, 2026.

Last updated July 31, 2026

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What Is a National Currency?

A national currency is the main form of money officially used in a country. People use it to buy products, pay bills, receive salaries, calculate prices, save money, and pay taxes. A government normally gives a central bank or monetary authority the power to manage the currency.

A national currency performs several basic jobs:

  • It works as a medium of exchange for payments.
  • It provides a unit of account for prices and debts.
  • It can hold value for future use.
  • It supports local business and international trade.
  • It allows governments to collect taxes and prepare budgets.

Most countries issue their own banknotes and coins. Others use a shared regional currency such as the euro or CFA franc. Some small countries officially use the currency of a larger country instead of creating their own.

These terms are closely related. They do not always have the same meaning.

National Currency

A national currency is the money most closely connected with a country. Pakistan uses the Pakistan rupee. Japan uses the yen. Nigeria uses the naira. Each has its own name and ISO code.

Some countries do not have a separate national currency. Ecuador uses the US dollar. Andorra uses the euro. Nauru uses the Australian dollar.

Official Currency

An official currency is formally recognized by a government for public and private financial activity. It usually appears in government accounts, tax records, salaries, banking systems, and official prices.

A foreign currency can become an official currency. The US dollar is issued by the United States but also serves as the official currency of Ecuador, El Salvador, Timor-Leste, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia.

Legal tender is money that the law recognizes for settling financial obligations. The exact rules differ by country. Legal-tender status does not mean every shop must accept every note in every situation. Businesses may still apply rules about payment methods, damaged money, or large banknotes.

A currency can also circulate widely without being the main national currency. US dollars circulate in several countries where the local currency remains official.

National Currency of All Countries: Complete A to Z List

The table below lists the national currencies of all countries in alphabetical order. The ISO codes come from the current currency list maintained by SIX, the official ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency. SIX states that it updates the list when currencies are created, changed, or withdrawn.

A symbol is not always unique. For example, “$” may identify many different dollars. Use the ISO code when accuracy matters.

CountryOfficial currencyISO codeCommon symbolMinor unit or note
AfghanistanAfghaniAFN؋Pul
AlbaniaLekALLLQindarkë
AlgeriaAlgerian dinarDZDدجCentime
AndorraEuroEURCent
AngolaKwanzaAOAKzCêntimo
Antigua and BarbudaEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
ArgentinaArgentine pesoARS$Centavo
ArmeniaDramAMD֏Luma
AustraliaAustralian dollarAUDA$Cent
AustriaEuroEURCent
AzerbaijanManatAZNQəpik
BahamasBahamian dollarBSDB$Cent
BahrainBahraini dinarBHDد.ب1,000 fils
BangladeshTakaBDTPoisha
BarbadosBarbados dollarBBDBds$Cent
BelarusBelarusian rubleBYNBrKopeck
BelgiumEuroEURCent
BelizeBelize dollarBZDBZ$Cent
BeninWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
BhutanNgultrumBTNNu.Chhertum
BoliviaBolivianoBOBBsCentavo
Bosnia and HerzegovinaConvertible markBAMKMFening
BotswanaPulaBWPPThebe
BrazilRealBRLR$Centavo
BruneiBrunei dollarBNDB$Sen
BulgariaEuroEURCent
Burkina FasoWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
BurundiBurundi francBIFFBuNo minor coin in normal use
Cabo VerdeCabo Verde escudoCVEEscCentavo
CambodiaRielKHRSen
CameroonCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
CanadaCanadian dollarCADC$Cent
Central African RepublicCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
ChadCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
ChileChilean pesoCLPCLP$No minor coin in normal use
ChinaRenminbi yuanCNY¥Jiao and fen
ColombiaColombian pesoCOPCOL$Centavo
ComorosComorian francKMFCFNo minor coin in normal use
Congo Democratic RepublicCongolese francCDFFCCentime
Congo RepublicCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
Costa RicaCosta Rican colónCRCCéntimo
Côte d’IvoireWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
CroatiaEuroEURCent
CubaCuban pesoCUP$Centavo
CyprusEuroEURCent
CzechiaCzech korunaCZKHaléř
DenmarkDanish kroneDKKkrØre
DjiboutiDjibouti francDJFFdjNo minor coin in normal use
DominicaEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
Dominican RepublicDominican pesoDOPRD$Centavo
EcuadorUS dollarUSD$Cent
EgyptEgyptian poundEGPPiastre
El SalvadorUS dollarUSD$Cent
Equatorial GuineaCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
EritreaNakfaERNNfkCent
EstoniaEuroEURCent
EswatiniLilangeniSZLLSouth African rand also circulates
EthiopiaBirrETBBrSantim
FijiFijian dollarFJDFJ$Cent
FinlandEuroEURCent
FranceEuroEURCent
GabonCentral African CFA francXAFFCFANo minor coin in normal use
GambiaDalasiGMDDButut
GeorgiaLariGELTetri
GermanyEuroEURCent
GhanaCediGHSGH₵Pesewa
GreeceEuroEURCent
GrenadaEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
GuatemalaQuetzalGTQQCentavo
GuineaGuinean francGNFFGNo minor coin in normal use
Guinea-BissauWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
GuyanaGuyana dollarGYDG$Cent
HaitiGourdeHTGGCentime
HondurasLempiraHNLLCentavo
HungaryForintHUFFtFillér
IcelandIcelandic krónaISKkrNo minor coin in normal use
IndiaIndian rupeeINRPaise
IndonesiaRupiahIDRRpSen
IranIranian rialIRRDinar
IraqIraqi dinarIQDع.د1,000 fils
IrelandEuroEURCent
IsraelNew Israeli shekelILSAgora
ItalyEuroEURCent
JamaicaJamaican dollarJMDJ$Cent
JapanYenJPY¥No minor unit in normal use
JordanJordanian dinarJODد.ا1,000 fils
KazakhstanTengeKZTTiyn
KenyaKenyan shillingKESKShCent
KiribatiAustralian dollarAUDA$Local Kiribati coins also exist
KuwaitKuwaiti dinarKWDد.ك1,000 fils
KyrgyzstanSomKGSсомTyiyn
LaosKipLAKAtt
LatviaEuroEURCent
LebanonLebanese poundLBPل.لPiastre
LesothoLotiLSLLSouth African rand is also legal tender
LiberiaLiberian dollarLRDL$US dollars also circulate widely
LibyaLibyan dinarLYDل.د1,000 dirhams
LiechtensteinSwiss francCHFCHFRappen
LithuaniaEuroEURCent
LuxembourgEuroEURCent
MadagascarAriaryMGAArIraimbilanja equals one fifth
MalawiKwachaMWKMKTambala
MalaysiaRinggitMYRRMSen
MaldivesRufiyaaMVRRfLaari
MaliWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
MaltaEuroEURCent
Marshall IslandsUS dollarUSD$Cent
MauritaniaOuguiyaMRUUMKhoum equals one fifth
MauritiusMauritian rupeeMURCent
MexicoMexican pesoMXNMex$Centavo
MicronesiaUS dollarUSD$Cent
MoldovaMoldovan leuMDLLBan
MonacoEuroEURCent
MongoliaTögrögMNTMöngö
MontenegroEuroEURUses euro without euro-area membership
MoroccoMoroccan dirhamMADDHCentime
MozambiqueMeticalMZNMTCentavo
MyanmarKyatMMKKPya
NamibiaNamibian dollarNADN$South African rand is also legal tender
NauruAustralian dollarAUDA$Cent
NepalNepalese rupeeNPRरूPaisa
NetherlandsEuroEURCent
New ZealandNew Zealand dollarNZDNZ$Cent
NicaraguaCórdobaNIOC$Centavo
NigerWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
NigeriaNairaNGNKobo
North KoreaNorth Korean wonKPWChŏn
North MacedoniaDenarMKDденDeni
NorwayNorwegian kroneNOKkrØre
OmanOmani rialOMRر.ع.1,000 baisa
PakistanPakistan rupeePKRRsPaisa
PalauUS dollarUSD$Cent
PalestineNo single national currencyILS, JOD, USD₪, د.ا, $Several currencies circulate
PanamaBalboa and US dollarPAB, USDB/. and $Balboa coins and US banknotes
Papua New GuineaKinaPGKKToea
ParaguayGuaraníPYGNo minor coin in normal use
PeruSolPENS/Céntimo
PhilippinesPhilippine pesoPHPSentimo
PolandZłotyPLNGrosz
PortugalEuroEURCent
QatarQatari riyalQARر.قDirham
RomaniaRomanian leuRONleiBan
RussiaRussian rubleRUBKopeck
RwandaRwandan francRWFFRwNo minor coin in normal use
Saint Kitts and NevisEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
Saint LuciaEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEast Caribbean dollarXCDEC$Cent
SamoaTālāWSTWS$Sene
San MarinoEuroEURCent
São Tomé and PríncipeDobraSTNDbCêntimo
Saudi ArabiaSaudi riyalSARر.سHalala
SenegalWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
SerbiaSerbian dinarRSDдинPara
SeychellesSeychellois rupeeSCRCent
Sierra LeoneLeoneSLELeCent
SingaporeSingapore dollarSGDS$Cent
SlovakiaEuroEURCent
SloveniaEuroEURCent
Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands dollarSBDSI$Cent
SomaliaSomali shillingSOSShCent
South AfricaRandZARRCent
South KoreaSouth Korean wonKRWNo minor unit in normal use
South SudanSouth Sudanese poundSSPSS£Piastre
SpainEuroEURCent
Sri LankaSri Lankan rupeeLKRRsCent
SudanSudanese poundSDGج.سPiastre
SurinameSurinamese dollarSRDSRD$Cent
SwedenSwedish kronaSEKkrÖre
SwitzerlandSwiss francCHFCHFRappen
SyriaSyrian poundSYP£SPiastre
TajikistanSomoniTJSЅМDiram
TanzaniaTanzanian shillingTZSTShCent
ThailandBahtTHB฿Satang
Timor-LesteUS dollarUSD$Uses local centavo coins
TogoWest African CFA francXOFCFANo minor coin in normal use
TongaPaʻangaTOPT$Seniti
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago dollarTTDTT$Cent
TunisiaTunisian dinarTNDد.ت1,000 millimes
TürkiyeTurkish liraTRYKuruş
TurkmenistanManatTMTmTenge
TuvaluAustralian dollarAUDA$Local Tuvalu coins also exist
UgandaUgandan shillingUGXUShNo minor coin in normal use
UkraineHryvniaUAHKopiyka
United Arab EmiratesUAE dirhamAEDد.إFils
United KingdomPound sterlingGBP£Penny
United StatesUS dollarUSD$Cent
UruguayUruguayan pesoUYU$UCentésimo
UzbekistanSumUZSsoʻmTiyin
VanuatuVatuVUVVTNo minor unit
Vatican CityEuroEURCent
VenezuelaBolívarVESBs.Céntimo
VietnamĐồngVNDNo minor unit in normal use
YemenYemeni rialYERFils
ZambiaZambian kwachaZMWZKNgwee
ZimbabweZimbabwe GoldZWGZiGForeign currencies are also legal tender

Zimbabwe introduced Zimbabwe Gold in April 2024. Its ISO code is ZWG. The country continues to operate a multicurrency system in which approved foreign currencies can serve as legal tender alongside ZiG.

National Currency of All Countries by Continent

Readers can use the following regional groups to find countries more quickly:

  • Asia includes East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Western Asia.
  • Europe includes euro-area and non-euro countries.
  • Africa includes national currencies and two different CFA francs.
  • North America includes Central America and the Caribbean in this guide.
  • South America contains national currencies plus official US-dollar users.
  • Oceania includes Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific island states.

National Currencies of Asian Countries

Asia has a wide range of currency systems. Large economies such as China, India, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea issue independent currencies. Several Gulf countries use rials, riyals, dinars, or dirhams. These similar names do not mean the currencies have the same value.

Important Asian examples include:

  • China uses the renminbi. The main unit is the yuan and the ISO code is CNY.
  • India uses the Indian rupee with code INR.
  • Japan uses the yen with code JPY.
  • Bangladesh uses the taka while Pakistan uses the Pakistan rupee.
  • Saudi Arabia and Qatar use separate riyals with codes SAR and QAR.
  • Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait use different dinars.
  • Timor-Leste uses the US dollar but issues local centavo coins.
  • Palestine has no separate national currency. The Israeli shekel, Jordanian dinar, and US dollar all play practical roles in its payment system. The Palestine Monetary Authority publishes rates for these currencies.

National Currencies of European Countries

Europe includes countries with independent currencies, euro-area members, and small states that use a neighbour’s currency. The European Union and the euro area are not the same group. EU members such as Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and Czechia do not use the euro as their national currency.

Bulgaria became the 21st euro-area member on January 1, 2026. The Bulgarian lev became a historical currency for current ISO listing purposes. The official conversion rate was fixed at EUR 1 to BGN 1.95583.

Other European arrangements include:

  • Switzerland and Liechtenstein use the Swiss franc.
  • Montenegro uses the euro without joining the European Union or euro area.
  • Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City use the euro under monetary agreements with the European Union.
  • The United Kingdom uses pound sterling.
  • Norway uses the Norwegian krone.
  • Iceland uses the Icelandic króna.
  • Albania uses the lek.
  • Serbia uses the Serbian dinar.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina uses the convertible mark.

National Currencies of African Countries

Africa has national currencies such as the South African rand, Nigerian naira, Ghanaian cedi, Ethiopian birr, Kenyan shilling, and Egyptian pound. It also has two regional CFA currencies.

The two CFA francs have similar names but different codes:

  • West African CFA franc uses code XOF.
  • Central African CFA franc uses code XAF.

Countries using XOF are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Countries using XAF are Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Several southern African countries have close links to the South African rand:

  • Lesotho uses the loti and accepts the rand as legal tender.
  • Namibia uses the Namibian dollar and accepts the rand.
  • Eswatini uses the lilangeni while the rand also circulates.
  • South Africa issues the rand under code ZAR.

National Currencies of North American Countries

This article groups Central America and the Caribbean with North America. The region includes many separate dollars as well as the Mexican peso, Guatemalan quetzal, Honduran lempira, Haitian gourde, and Dominican peso.

Key arrangements include:

  • Canada uses the Canadian dollar under code CAD.
  • The United States uses USD.
  • Mexico uses the Mexican peso under code MXN.
  • Panama uses balboa coins and US-dollar banknotes.
  • El Salvador uses the US dollar.
  • Six sovereign Caribbean states use the East Caribbean dollar.
  • The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago each issue separate currencies.

El Salvador changed its Bitcoin framework in 2025. Private businesses are no longer required to accept Bitcoin and tax payments must use US dollars. This is why the country’s main currency entry remains USD rather than a cryptocurrency code.

National Currencies of South American Countries

Most South American countries issue their own pesos, soles, bolivianos, reais, guaraníes, or dollars. Ecuador is the main sovereign state in the region that uses the US dollar as its official currency.

Major examples include:

  • Argentina uses the Argentine peso.
  • Brazil uses the real.
  • Chile and Colombia use separate pesos.
  • Peru uses the sol.
  • Bolivia uses the boliviano.
  • Paraguay uses the guaraní.
  • Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso.
  • Venezuela uses the bolívar.
  • Guyana uses the Guyana dollar.
  • Suriname uses the Surinamese dollar.

Exchange rates should not be added permanently beside these entries. The values of currencies such as ARS, BRL, COP, and VES can change often.

National Currencies of Oceanian Countries

Australia and New Zealand issue the region’s two best-known currencies. Several Pacific states use one of these currencies instead of maintaining a completely separate monetary system.

The main arrangements are:

  • Australia uses the Australian dollar.
  • New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar.
  • Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands issue separate currencies.
  • Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu use the Australian dollar.
  • Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia use the US dollar.
  • Kiribati and Tuvalu issue local coins that match the Australian dollar system.

Countries That Use the Same Currency

A shared currency allows several countries to use one monetary unit, one ISO code, and often one regional central bank. This can reduce conversion costs and make cross-border trade easier. It also means that each member has less independent control over interest rates and money supply.

Countries Using the Euro

The euro is used by the following 21 euro-area members as of July 2026:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain

Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City also use the euro through formal monetary agreements. These four countries may issue limited quantities of euro coins with national designs. Montenegro uses the euro without membership in the euro area.

Countries Using the West African CFA Franc

The West African CFA franc has the ISO code XOF. Eight sovereign countries use it:

  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Senegal
  • Togo

The symbol “CFA” is not enough for international banking because the Central African CFA franc uses a similar abbreviation. The code XOF removes this confusion.

Countries Using the Central African CFA Franc

The Central African CFA franc has the code XAF. Six sovereign states use it:

  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Gabon

XAF and XOF are separate currencies even though both are commonly called the CFA franc.

Countries Using the East Caribbean Dollar

The East Caribbean dollar uses the ISO code XCD. Six sovereign states use it:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Anguilla and Montserrat also use XCD but they are British territories rather than sovereign countries.

Other Shared Currency Arrangements

Other important shared arrangements include:

  • The Australian dollar in Australia, Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu.
  • The Swiss franc in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
  • The US dollar in the United States and several independent Pacific and Latin American states.
  • The South African rand as legal tender in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini.
  • The Brunei dollar and Singapore dollar under a reciprocal interchangeability arrangement.

Countries That Use the US Dollar

The US dollar is used far beyond the United States. Its ISO code is USD and its symbol is $. The symbol alone should not be used when another dollar currency could cause confusion.

Sovereign countries where USD is the main official currency include:

  • United States
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia
  • Palau
  • Timor-Leste

Panama uses the US dollar alongside the balboa. Balboa banknotes do not normally circulate. Panama relies on US notes and issues balboa coins at equal value.

Zimbabwe permits foreign currencies as legal tender within its multicurrency system. The US dollar therefore operates alongside Zimbabwe Gold rather than fully replacing it.

The US dollar also circulates widely in places such as Cambodia, Liberia, and parts of the Caribbean. Wide acceptance does not always give it the same legal position as the national currency.

Countries Without Their Own Separate Currency

Some states do not issue an independent national monetary unit. They use a foreign or shared currency because maintaining a separate currency and central bank may offer little benefit to a small economy.

CountryCurrency usedIssuing authorityArrangement
AndorraEuroEurosystemFormal monetary agreement
EcuadorUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial dollarization
El SalvadorUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial dollarization
KiribatiAustralian dollarReserve Bank of AustraliaOfficial use with local coins
LiechtensteinSwiss francSwiss National BankCurrency agreement
Marshall IslandsUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial use
MicronesiaUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial use
MonacoEuroEurosystemFormal monetary agreement
MontenegroEuroEurosystemUnilateral use
NauruAustralian dollarReserve Bank of AustraliaOfficial use
PalauUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial use
San MarinoEuroEurosystemFormal monetary agreement
Timor-LesteUS dollarUS Federal Reserve SystemOfficial use with local coins
TuvaluAustralian dollarReserve Bank of AustraliaOfficial use with local coins
Vatican CityEuroEurosystemFormal monetary agreement

A country using another state’s currency cannot independently create more of that money or set the issuing central bank’s interest rate.

Countries With More Than One Official Currency

A country may recognize more than one currency through law, treaty, or a formal multicurrency system.

Important examples include:

  • Panama uses the balboa and US dollar at equal value.
  • Zimbabwe uses Zimbabwe Gold alongside approved foreign currencies.
  • Lesotho uses the loti and recognizes the South African rand.
  • Namibia uses the Namibian dollar and recognizes the rand.
  • Eswatini uses the lilangeni while the rand also circulates legally.
  • Palestine has no single national currency and relies on several foreign currencies.
  • Bhutan uses the ngultrum while the Indian rupee is widely accepted at equal value.
  • Brunei and Singapore issue separate dollars that banks accept at par under their currency interchangeability arrangement.

A shop accepting foreign cash does not automatically make that currency official. Legal status must come from legislation, a treaty, or an official monetary arrangement.

Currency Names Used by Multiple Countries

The same currency name may refer to several completely separate forms of money. A traveller who asks for “dollars” or “pesos” without naming the country may receive the wrong price or exchange rate.

Dollar

Different dollars include:

  • US dollar USD
  • Canadian dollar CAD
  • Australian dollar AUD
  • New Zealand dollar NZD
  • Singapore dollar SGD
  • Brunei dollar BND
  • East Caribbean dollar XCD
  • Bahamian dollar BSD
  • Jamaican dollar JMD

The code provides more information than the symbol.

Pound

Several currencies use the word pound:

  • Pound sterling GBP
  • Egyptian pound EGP
  • Lebanese pound LBP
  • Syrian pound SYP
  • Sudanese pound SDG
  • South Sudanese pound SSP

These currencies have separate issuers, values, notes, and monetary policies.

Franc

Current francs include:

  • Swiss franc CHF
  • West African CFA franc XOF
  • Central African CFA franc XAF
  • Congolese franc CDF
  • Guinean franc GNF
  • Burundi franc BIF
  • Djibouti franc DJF
  • Comorian franc KMF
  • Rwandan franc RWF

The letters XOF and XAF are especially important because the two CFA francs share similar names.

Peso

Countries using distinct pesos include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the Philippines, and Uruguay. Each peso has its own ISO code and exchange value.

Dinar

Dinar currencies appear mainly in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans:

  • Algerian dinar
  • Bahraini dinar
  • Iraqi dinar
  • Jordanian dinar
  • Kuwaiti dinar
  • Libyan dinar
  • Serbian dinar
  • Tunisian dinar

Some dinars divide into 1,000 minor units rather than 100.

Rupee and Rupiah

India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives use currencies whose English names include rupee or a related form. Indonesia uses the rupiah, which is a separate currency with code IDR.

Shilling, Rial, Riyal, and Dirham

Several countries use these names:

  • Kenyan, Tanzanian, Ugandan, and Somali shillings
  • Iranian, Omani, and Yemeni rials
  • Saudi and Qatari riyals
  • UAE and Moroccan dirhams

The country name or ISO code should always appear in formal writing.

Understanding ISO Currency Codes

ISO 4217 assigns three-letter alphabetic codes and three-digit numeric codes to currencies. The standard helps banks, airlines, shops, trading platforms, and computer systems identify money without depending on language or symbols.

Examples include:

  • USD for United States dollar
  • EUR for euro
  • GBP for pound sterling
  • JPY for Japanese yen
  • PKR for Pakistan rupee
  • CNY for Chinese yuan

For many national currencies, the first two letters relate to the ISO country code. The third letter often comes from the currency name. “USD” combines “US” with “dollar.” “CHF” combines Switzerland’s country code “CH” with “franc.”

Shared or special currencies often begin with X. XOF and XAF are examples. The official ISO standard also records numeric codes and decimal relationships for minor units.

Currency Symbols and Why They Can Be Confusing

A currency symbol is a short sign placed beside an amount. Symbols save space on price labels but do not always identify the exact currency.

Common symbols include:

  • $ for several dollars and pesos
  • € for euro
  • £ for pound sterling and some other pounds
  • ¥ for Japanese yen and sometimes Chinese yuan
  • ₹ for Indian rupee
  • ₩ for South Korean and North Korean won
  • ₨ for several rupee currencies
  • kr for several Scandinavian currencies

Writing CAD 100 is clearer than “$100” when the reader may think the price is in US dollars. International invoices should normally use ISO codes.

Major Currency Symbols and Their Meanings

SymbolCommon currencyISO codeMain country or region
$US dollarUSDUnited States and official dollar users
EuroEUREuro area and other euro users
£Pound sterlingGBPUnited Kingdom
¥Japanese yenJPYJapan
CN¥Chinese yuanCNYChina
Indian rupeeINRIndia
South Korean wonKRWSouth Korea
Russian rubleRUBRussia
Turkish liraTRYTürkiye
Ukrainian hryvniaUAHUkraine
Nigerian nairaNGNNigeria
Philippine pesoPHPPhilippines
฿Thai bahtTHBThailand
Vietnamese đồngVNDVietnam
New Israeli shekelILSIsrael
Costa Rican colónCRCCosta Rica
Paraguayan guaraníPYGParaguay
Georgian lariGELGeorgia
Azerbaijani manatAZNAzerbaijan
֏Armenian dramAMDArmenia

Many currencies use abbreviations instead of a unique sign. Examples include CHF, KSh, RM, AED, and CFA.

What Is a Currency’s Minor Unit

A minor unit is a smaller part of a currency. Most decimal currencies divide one main unit into 100 smaller units. The names vary by country.

Examples include:

  • One US dollar equals 100 cents.
  • One pound sterling equals 100 pence.
  • One Indian rupee equals 100 paise.
  • One Saudi riyal equals 100 halalas.
  • One UAE dirham equals 100 fils.
  • One Bahraini dinar equals 1,000 fils.
  • One Omani rial equals 1,000 baisa.
  • One Tunisian dinar equals 1,000 millimes.

Not every system follows a 100-unit division. One Malagasy ariary equals five iraimbilanja. One Mauritanian ouguiya equals five khoums. Several currencies have a defined minor unit that people rarely use because its value has become too small.

Who Issues and Controls a Country’s Currency

A central bank or monetary authority usually manages the currency. Its legal powers differ by country but commonly include:

  • Issuing or authorizing banknotes and coins
  • Managing the money supply
  • Setting or guiding interest rates
  • Supporting price and financial stability
  • Holding foreign currency reserves
  • Supervising banks or payment systems
  • Protecting banknotes against counterfeiting

The European Central Bank manages euro-area monetary policy with the national central banks of member states. Countries that use the euro without euro-area membership do not receive the same role in setting that policy.

A country that uses the US dollar cannot order the US Federal Reserve to print money for its domestic budget. This loss of direct monetary control is one of the main costs of using a foreign currency.

Why Do Some Countries Share a Currency

Countries may share a currency to make trade and payments easier. Businesses can compare prices and pay suppliers without converting money at every border.

Possible benefits include:

  • Lower currency-conversion costs
  • Simpler regional trade
  • More transparent prices
  • Easier travel and money transfers
  • A larger and more connected payment market
  • Support from a shared central bank

Possible limits include:

  • Less national control over interest rates
  • No independent exchange-rate policy
  • One policy may not suit every member’s economy
  • Financial problems in one member may affect others
  • Leaving the arrangement can be difficult and costly

A shared currency works best when members have clear fiscal rules, trusted institutions, and strong financial cooperation.

Why Do Countries Change Their Currency

A country may replace, rename, or redesign its currency after economic or political change.

Common reasons include:

  • Independence from another state
  • High inflation
  • Removal of zeros
  • Membership in a currency union
  • A change in government or national identity
  • Replacement of weak or damaged banknotes
  • Better anti-counterfeit technology
  • Reform of the banking and payment system

Recent examples include Bulgaria replacing the lev with the euro in 2026 and Zimbabwe introducing Zimbabwe Gold in 2024. Sierra Leone introduced the redenominated leone with code SLE to replace the old SLL unit. A redesigned banknote is not automatically a new currency. The name, unit, and ISO code may remain unchanged.

Currency Redenomination vs Currency Devaluation

These terms describe different actions.

Currency Redenomination

A redenomination changes the numbers printed on money. A government may remove several zeros to make prices and accounting easier.

For example, 1,000 old units may become 1 new unit. Wages, savings, debts, and prices convert at the same stated ratio. The change does not automatically make people richer or increase purchasing power.

Currency Devaluation

A devaluation lowers a currency’s official value against another currency under a fixed or managed exchange-rate system. Imported products may become more expensive while exports may become cheaper for foreign buyers.

A market-driven fall under a floating exchange rate is usually called depreciation rather than an official devaluation.

National Currency vs Foreign Currency

A national currency belongs to the country or monetary union using it. A foreign currency comes from outside that monetary system.

For a person in Pakistan:

  • PKR is the national currency.
  • USD, EUR, GBP, and AED are foreign currencies.
  • An exporter may receive USD from an overseas customer.
  • A traveller may exchange PKR for AED before visiting the UAE.
  • A family may receive a remittance in SAR or GBP.
  • A bank may convert the payment into PKR under applicable rules.

Foreign currency plays an important role in tourism, imports, exports, overseas education, remittances, and international investment.

National Currency vs Cryptocurrency

A traditional national currency comes from a government-backed monetary system. A central bank or authorized institution manages its supply and payment framework. A cryptocurrency normally operates through distributed digital technology and does not require a national central bank.

The main differences are:

  • Fiat currency has an official national or regional unit.
  • Cryptocurrency prices can change sharply.
  • Legal status varies by country.
  • Crypto tokens do not automatically have ISO 4217 codes.
  • Bank deposits represent claims within the regulated banking system.
  • A mobile payment app can transfer national currency without creating a new currency.

A government may allow cryptocurrency trading without making a token its national currency. El Salvador’s 2025 reforms made private Bitcoin acceptance voluntary and required taxes to be paid in US dollars.

National Currency vs Central Bank Digital Currency

A central bank digital currency, often called a CBDC, is a digital form of official central-bank money. It differs from a private cryptocurrency because a public monetary authority issues or backs it.

The main categories are:

  • Cash consists of physical banknotes and coins.
  • Bank deposits are balances held at commercial banks.
  • Mobile-wallet money is often a digital record of bank or electronic money.
  • Cryptocurrency is usually privately created through blockchain systems.
  • CBDC is official digital central-bank money.

A CBDC does not always replace cash. A country may design it as an additional payment option. Development stages differ widely, so any list of active projects needs frequent updates.

Most Widely Used Currencies in International Trade

Several currencies have major roles in international reserves, banking, trade invoices, and cross-border payments. The US dollar remains the leading reserve currency. The euro ranks second. Pound sterling, Japanese yen, Chinese renminbi, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, and Swiss franc also have international roles.

The IMF reported that the US dollar represented 57.13 percent of global foreign exchange reserves in the first quarter of 2026. The euro represented 20.03 percent and the Chinese renminbi represented 1.99 percent. Total reported foreign exchange reserves stood at $13.10 trillion.

A currency’s international use depends on several factors:

  • Size of the issuing economy
  • Depth of its financial markets
  • Confidence in its institutions
  • Ease of buying and selling assets
  • Use in global trade contracts
  • Stability of its payment and banking systems

The most widely held currency is not automatically the strongest investment or the best choice for every payment.

How Exchange Rates Affect Currency Value

An exchange rate shows how much one currency can buy of another. If USD 1 equals PKR 280, the rate states the value of the dollar in rupees at that moment. The actual buying and selling rates may differ because banks and exchange companies add margins or fees.

Currency values can move because of:

  • Inflation
  • Interest-rate changes
  • Economic growth
  • Imports and exports
  • Government debt
  • Political risk
  • Central-bank policy
  • Market demand
  • Foreign investment
  • Commodity prices

A strong currency does not always mean a strong economy. Some currencies use large numerical units because of historical inflation or earlier monetary decisions. Exchange rates also change too often to place permanently inside a country-currency reference table.

Countries, Territories, and Disputed Areas: How the List Is Organized

The main table uses 195 sovereign states as its core scope. This includes 193 UN member states plus the two UN observer states, Palestine and the Holy See represented here by Vatican City. The United Nations confirms that it currently has 193 member states.

Territories need a separate category because they are not independent states. A territory may:

  • Use the administering country’s currency.
  • Issue a local currency with its own ISO code.
  • Issue local notes linked to another currency.
  • Use a shared regional currency.
  • Accept more than one currency.

Kosovo and Taiwan are often added to public “all countries” lists because each has its own government and currency arrangement.

Additional entryCurrencyISO codeStatus note
KosovoEuroEURPartially recognized and not a UN member
TaiwanNew Taiwan dollarTWDSelf-governed and not a UN member

Kosovo uses the euro without membership in the European Union or euro area. Taiwan issues the New Taiwan dollar through its central banking system.

Currencies of Dependent and Overseas Territories

Dependent territories may use the currency of the state that administers them or issue a separate local form.

TerritoryAdministering stateCurrencyISO codeCurrency status
AnguillaUnited KingdomEast Caribbean dollarXCDRegional currency
ArubaKingdom of the NetherlandsAruban florinAWGSeparate territorial currency
BermudaUnited KingdomBermudian dollarBMDLinked to US dollar
British Virgin IslandsUnited KingdomUS dollarUSDOfficial use
Cayman IslandsUnited KingdomCayman Islands dollarKYDSeparate territorial currency
CuraçaoKingdom of the NetherlandsCaribbean guilderXCGShared with Sint Maarten
Falkland IslandsUnited KingdomFalkland Islands poundFKPLinked to pound sterling
Faroe IslandsKingdom of DenmarkDanish kroneDKKLocal notes equal to DKK
GibraltarUnited KingdomGibraltar poundGIPLinked to pound sterling
GreenlandKingdom of DenmarkDanish kroneDKKOfficial use
GuamUnited StatesUS dollarUSDOfficial use
Hong KongChinaHong Kong dollarHKDSeparate monetary system
Isle of ManBritish Crown DependencyPound sterling and Manx poundGBPLocal pound linked to GBP
MacauChinaPatacaMOPSeparate monetary system
MontserratUnited KingdomEast Caribbean dollarXCDRegional currency
New CaledoniaFranceCFP francXPFShared Pacific currency
Northern Mariana IslandsUnited StatesUS dollarUSDOfficial use
Puerto RicoUnited StatesUS dollarUSDOfficial use
Sint MaartenKingdom of the NetherlandsCaribbean guilderXCGShared with Curaçao
Turks and Caicos IslandsUnited KingdomUS dollarUSDOfficial use
US Virgin IslandsUnited StatesUS dollarUSDOfficial use

A territorial pound may have the same value as pound sterling but remain different in design and local acceptance. Banks outside the territory may not treat the local notes like ordinary Bank of England notes.

Former and Discontinued National Currencies

Former currencies should appear separately from current money. Mixing them into the main list can cause errors in schoolwork, travel planning, bank records, and currency conversion.

CountryFormer currencyReplacement currencyChange year
BulgariaBulgarian lev BGNEuro EUR2026
CroatiaCroatian kuna HRKEuro EUR2023
Sierra LeoneOld leone SLLNew leone SLE2022
ZimbabweZimbabwe dollar ZWLZimbabwe Gold ZWG2024
São Tomé and PríncipeOld dobra STDNew dobra STN2018
VenezuelaBolívar soberano VES predecessor unitsCurrent bolívar VESSeveral reforms
LithuaniaLithuanian litas LTLEuro EUR2015
LatviaLatvian lats LVLEuro EUR2014
EstoniaEstonian kroon EEKEuro EUR2011
SlovakiaSlovak koruna SKKEuro EUR2009
CyprusCyprus pound CYPEuro EUR2008
MaltaMaltese lira MTLEuro EUR2008
SloveniaSlovenian tolar SITEuro EUR2007
GermanyDeutsche mark DEMEuro EUR1999 and 2002 cash changeover
FranceFrench franc FRFEuro EUR1999 and 2002 cash changeover
ItalyItalian lira ITLEuro EUR1999 and 2002 cash changeover
SpainSpanish peseta ESPEuro EUR1999 and 2002 cash changeover

The euro became an accounting currency in 1999 for its first members. Euro banknotes and coins entered public circulation in 2002.

How to Use the Country and Currency List

This reference can support several practical tasks:

  • Check a currency for a school assignment.
  • Identify the correct ISO code for an invoice.
  • Avoid confusing Canadian and US dollars.
  • Prepare a travel budget.
  • Label prices for an international audience.
  • Complete banking and remittance forms.
  • Build a currency converter.
  • Create geography quizzes.
  • Check whether a country uses a shared currency.
  • Separate sovereign countries from territories.

Use the ISO code instead of the symbol when accuracy affects money. “AUD 500” clearly means Australian dollars. “$500” does not.

For software or databases, store the country and currency as separate fields. One country may have multiple accepted currencies, while one currency may belong to several countries.

Important Accuracy and Update Notes

Currency information can change after a political decision, monetary reform, treaty, or period of high inflation. A reliable article should therefore include a visible last-updated date.

Use these checks when maintaining the list:

  • Confirm currency codes through the ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency.
  • Check recent changes through the national central bank.
  • Separate current and historical currencies.
  • Do not treat common shop acceptance as official status.
  • Keep exchange rates outside the permanent reference table.
  • Review countries with multicurrency systems more often.
  • Check territorial currencies separately.
  • Update euro-area membership after every approved accession.

SIX identifies itself as the official and authoritative Maintenance Agency for ISO 4217 currency-code designations. It also publishes current and historical currency lists and formal amendments.

Trusted Sources and Fact-Checking

We checked the currency names, ISO codes, monetary unions, and country information through official international organizations and central banks.

Editorial standard Currency systems may change after monetary reforms or government decisions. This page was last reviewed on .

FAQs About National Currency of All Countries

What is the national currency of a country?

It is the official money mainly used for local payments, prices, taxes, salaries, and accounts. A country may issue its own currency or officially use a foreign or shared currency.

How many national currencies are there in the world?

There is no simple one-currency-per-country total. The world has fewer currencies than sovereign states because many countries share the euro, CFA francs, East Caribbean dollar, Australian dollar, or US dollar. A few states also recognize more than one currency.

Does every country have its own currency?

No. Ecuador uses the US dollar. Nauru uses the Australian dollar. Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc. Andorra uses the euro. These countries do not issue a fully separate national monetary unit.

What is an ISO currency code?

It is a standard three-letter identifier used in international payments and computer systems. USD identifies the US dollar. CAD identifies the Canadian dollar. AUD identifies the Australian dollar.

Why do several currencies use the dollar sign?

The dollar sign became a common symbol for many currencies called “dollar” and some currencies called “peso.” It does not identify the issuing country. The ISO code gives the exact meaning.

Which currency is used by the most countries?

The answer depends on how the count treats monetary unions, microstates, territories, and informal circulation. The euro has the largest formal group of sovereign users through the euro area and European microstate agreements. The US dollar also serves as official money in several sovereign countries and territories.

Which countries use the euro?

The euro-area members in July 2026 are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, and Montenegro also use it under different arrangements.

Which countries use the US dollar?

The United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Timor-Leste use USD as their main official currency. Panama uses it alongside the balboa. Zimbabwe accepts it within a broader multicurrency system.

Can one country have two official currencies?

Yes. Panama uses the balboa and US dollar. Zimbabwe recognizes its local ZiG alongside approved foreign currencies. Lesotho and Namibia use local currencies while also recognizing the South African rand.

Can two countries have currencies with the same name?

Yes. Many countries use currencies called the dollar, peso, pound, franc, dinar, rupee, shilling, rial, or dirham. The names may match while the codes and values remain different.

Conclusion

The national currency of all countries cannot be understood through currency names alone. Several countries share one currency. Some officially use foreign money. Others recognize more than one form of legal tender.

The most reliable way to identify money is to check three details together:

  • The country or monetary area
  • The official currency name
  • The three-letter ISO 4217 code

Symbols are useful on price labels but often create confusion. USD, CAD, AUD, SGD, and XCD are clearer than a dollar sign by itself. Currency rules also change, as shown by Bulgaria’s move to the euro and Zimbabwe’s introduction of ZWG. A current date and authoritative sources keep a world currency list accurate and useful.

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