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Dollar Sign Symbol $ — Copy, Paste and Type the Dollar Sign on Any Device

The dollar sign $ is one of the most widely recognized symbols in the world. Whether you are writing a price tag, coding a script, or filling out a spreadsheet, knowing how to quickly type and use the dollar sign is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about the $ symbol — from copying and pasting it to typing it on any device, along with its fascinating history and varied uses.

Copy the Dollar Sign Symbol

Simply highlight and copy the dollar sign below:

$

You can paste it anywhere — documents, emails, social media posts, spreadsheets, or code editors.

Unicode and Technical Details

The dollar sign has the following technical specifications:

The dollar sign is part of the basic Latin character set and has been included in computer character encoding standards since the earliest days of ASCII.

How to Type the Dollar Sign on Windows

Typing the dollar sign on a Windows computer is straightforward:

How to Type the Dollar Sign on Mac

On a Mac, use any of these methods:

How to Type the Dollar Sign on iPhone and iPad

On iOS devices, the dollar sign is readily available:

How to Type the Dollar Sign on Android

On Android devices:

History of the Dollar Sign

The origin of the dollar sign is a subject of debate among historians, but the most widely accepted theory traces it back to the Spanish peso. In the late 18th century, American merchants and clerks commonly used a shorthand for the Spanish peso — writing a "P" with a superscript "s" (Ps). Over time, the letters merged, and the vertical stroke of the P was written over the S, creating the familiar $ shape.

Another popular theory suggests the symbol comes from the Pillars of Hercules — the two vertical stripes on the Spanish coat of arms — with a scroll wrapped around them forming the S shape. This design appeared on Spanish silver coins that were widely circulated in the American colonies.

A less likely but romantic theory claims the symbol is formed from the letters "U" and "S" overlaid on top of each other, standing for "United States." Most historians consider this a myth since the symbol predates the formation of the United States.

Uses of the Dollar Sign

The dollar sign serves many different purposes across various fields:

Dollar Sign vs. Other Currency Symbols

While the dollar sign is the most widely used currency symbol, it is important to know the distinction between it and similar symbols:

Fun Facts About the Dollar Sign

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the dollar sign used before or after the number?

In English-speaking countries, the dollar sign is placed before the number (e.g., $100). In some French-speaking regions of Canada, it may appear after the number with a space (e.g., 100 $).

Why does the dollar sign sometimes have one line and sometimes two?

Most modern fonts use a single vertical stroke through the S, but the original design had two strokes representing the Pillars of Hercules. Some fonts, particularly serif fonts, still show two vertical lines.

Can I use the dollar sign in URLs?

The dollar sign is technically allowed in URLs but it is generally recommended to avoid it. If needed, it should be percent-encoded as %24.