How to type the dollar sign $? A quick guide for global traders to input currency symbols

The seemingly simple dollar sign $ is the most commonly used currency symbol in global foreign exchange and international trade. For frequent traders, quickly and accurately inputting currency symbols from different countries directly impacts work efficiency. This guide will help you master the input techniques for the dollar sign and other important currency symbols, allowing you to quickly handle them on both Mac and Windows systems.

Why is mastering the input of the dollar sign essential for traders?

Currency symbols are not just simple icons; they are key markers for identifying and distinguishing capital flows worldwide. When you see the $ symbol, you need to immediately determine whether it represents USD, CAD, or other currencies. Forex traders deal daily with various currency symbols—tracking EUR/USD rates, analyzing GBP/JPY trends, monitoring capital inflows and outflows.

The core importance of correctly using the dollar sign:

• Quickly identify currency types to avoid trading errors
• Enhance the professionalism and readability of reports and documents
• Save time on repetitive writing, e.g., $40 is much more concise than “40 US dollars”

Mac and Windows: Shortcut keys for dollar sign and other common currency symbols

Master these shortcut combinations to quickly input important currency symbols on any trading platform or document:

Windows shortcuts:

Mac shortcuts:

Quick reference table for over 30 global currencies

While the dollar sign is the most widely used, many other common currency symbols are important to know. Here is a summary of major trading markets’ currency symbols:

Americas and Oceania:

• USA: US Dollar (USD) = $
• Canada: Canadian Dollar (CAD) = C$
• Brazil: Brazilian Real (BRL) = R$
• Australia: Australian Dollar (AUD) = A$
• New Zealand: New Zealand Dollar (NZD) = NZ$

Major Asian currencies:

• China: Renminbi (CNY) = ¥ / Yuan
• Japan: Yen (JPY) = ¥
• Taiwan: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) = NT$
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) = HK$ / $
• Singapore: Singapore Dollar (SGD) = S$
• South Korea: Won (KRW) = ₩
• India: Rupee (INR) = ₹
• Thailand: Baht (THB) = ฿
• Vietnam: Dong (VND) = ₫
• Philippines: Peso (PHP) = ₱

Europe and other regions:

• UK: Pound Sterling (GBP) = £
• Eurozone: Euro (EUR) = €
• Russia: Ruble (RUB) = ₽
• Turkey: Lira (TRY) = ₺
• Middle East and Africa: UAE Dirham (AED), Israeli Shekel (ILS), Nigerian Naira (NGN), etc.

3 most commonly confused currency symbols that traders must know

¥ symbol’s dual identity

The ¥ symbol is used for two major currencies in Asia:

• Japan: Yen (JPY)
• China: Renminbi (CNY)

To avoid confusion in trading or reporting, it’s recommended to use full notation:

• CNY ¥100 = 100 Renminbi
• JPY ¥100 = 100 Yen

The $ symbol appears in over 30 countries worldwide

While the dollar sign is most recognizable, it is widely used across many countries. Here are common examples and how to distinguish them:

฿ symbol’s dual meaning

This symbol can be confusing:

• In forex markets: ฿ represents Thai Baht (THB)
• In cryptocurrency markets: ฿ represents Bitcoin (BTC)

Context is key to understanding the true meaning of the symbol.

Currency pair notation in forex trading: practical application of the dollar sign

In forex markets, currency pairs indicate the exchange rate between two currencies, often including the dollar sign in related documents and platforms.

For example: USD/GBP indicates the exchange rate of US Dollar to British Pound

• USD = base currency (first)
• GBP = quote currency (second)
• Meaning: how many GBP one USD can buy

Popular currency pairs include:

• EUR/USD: Euro to US Dollar
• GBP/JPY: British Pound to Japanese Yen
• USD/CNY: US Dollar to Chinese Yuan

Understanding and correctly using these symbols in platforms like Gate helps you quickly identify trading directions, monitor price movements, and make more precise investment decisions. Whether analyzing candlestick charts, setting alerts, or reading market reports, mastering these basics is essential for successful trading.

By flexibly leveraging leverage, tracking real-time strategies, you can enjoy a more convenient trading experience on the Gate platform. Now, you can claim $50,000 for free demo trading and experience the excitement of the global forex markets firsthand.