Yuan Symbol Copy and Paste (¥ 元 圆 CN¥ RMB)
Yuan / yen sign
Unicode U+00A5 · HTML ¥ · Alt code Alt+157 or Alt+0165 · Mac Option+Y
Tap any symbol to copy it. Each tap also adds it to the box above, so you can copy several together.
Codes for every symbol on this page (Unicode, HTML, Alt, Mac, Word)
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | HTML | Windows Alt code | Mac | MS Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¥ | Yuan / yen sign | U+00A5 | ¥ | Alt+157, Alt+0165 | Option+Y | 00A5 then Alt+X |
| 元 | Yuan (everyday) | U+5143 | 元 | - | - | 5143 then Alt+X |
| 圆 | Yuan (formal) | U+5706 | 圆 | - | - | 5706 then Alt+X |
| CN¥ | Chinese yuan prefix | U+0043 U+004E U+00A5 | CN¥ | - | - | - |
| RMB | Renminbi short form | U+0052 U+004D U+0042 | RMB | - | - | - |
The yuan symbol is ¥ in English text and 元 in Chinese text, and you can copy both from the box above. Together they form the China currency symbol for the Chinese yuan, also called the renminbi.
Because Japan uses the same ¥ sign for its yen, this page shows the clear ways to mark Chinese money (CNY, RMB, CN¥) and explains which one to use in a price, an invoice or a school project.
Renminbi vs Yuan: China Currency Name and Symbol
Two names are used for Chinese money, and they mean slightly different things:
- Renminbi means "the people's currency". It is the name of the whole currency system, like "sterling" for British money.
- Yuan is the main unit you count in. A pen costs 5 yuan, not 5 renminbi.
One yuan is divided into 10 jiao, and one jiao into 10 fen. In everyday speech many Chinese people say "kuai" instead of yuan, just as English speakers say "bucks".
| Form | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ¥ | Symbol in Latin text | ¥50 |
| 元 | Chinese character, everyday | 50元 |
| 圆 | Formal character, printed on banknotes | 伍拾圆 |
| CNY | ISO code, banking and trade | CNY 50 |
| RMB | Common short form of renminbi | RMB 50 |
| CN¥ | Symbol with country prefix | CN¥50 |
CNY Symbol vs RMB Symbol: Which to Write?
CNY is the official ISO code and the best choice for bank transfers, export invoices and anything shared across countries. RMB is widely understood and common in business emails and price lists, but it is not an ISO code. Both refer to the same Chinese yuan symbol ¥ when written as a sign.
For a mixed document with Japanese and Chinese amounts, never use plain ¥. Write CN¥ or CNY for China, and JP¥ or JPY for Japan. See the yen symbol page for the Japanese side.
How to Type the Yuan Currency Symbol
| Character | Windows | Word | Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¥ | Alt+0165 or Alt+157 | 00A5 then Alt+X | Option+Y |
| 元 | No Alt code | 5143 then Alt+X | Character Viewer |
| 圆 | No Alt code | 5706 then Alt+X | Character Viewer |
On phones, the currency key on most keyboards hides ¥ under a long-press. To type 元, add a Chinese (Pinyin) keyboard and type "yuan", or simply copy it from this page. Alt codes need the number pad with Num Lock on.
Common Mistakes with the Chinese Yuan Symbol
- Writing ¥50 yuan: the sign already means yuan. Write ¥50 or 50 yuan.
- Putting 元 first: in Chinese, 元 comes after the number (50元), while ¥ comes before (¥50).
- Mixing up Hong Kong: Hong Kong uses its own dollar, written HK$, not the yuan. See the dollar symbol page.
- Expecting a live rate: this page shows symbols only. For yuan to rupee values, check your bank on the day.
For other Asian signs such as ₩ and ฿, open the currency symbols list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the symbol of yuan?
The symbol of yuan is ¥ in English and other Latin-script text. In Chinese it is written 元, or 圆 in formal use. The ISO code is CNY.
Is the renminbi symbol different from the yuan symbol?
No. Renminbi is the currency and yuan is its unit, and both are written with ¥ or 元. RMB is the short form people use for renminbi.
What is the Chinese currency symbol on banknotes?
Chinese banknotes show the amount in the formal character 圆, along with numbers and the words for the People's Bank of China. In shops and online, ¥ and 元 are more common.
Why does the yuan symbol look like the yen symbol?
Because it is the same ¥ character. Both currency names come from a word meaning round, linked to round coins. Use CNY or CN¥ to show it is Chinese money.