What Is the Symbol of Indian Currency?

The Indian currency symbol is ₹, representing the Indian rupee. Its currency code is INR, and one rupee is divided into 100 paise. For example, ₹500 means five hundred Indian rupees.

What is the difference between ₹, INR and Rs?

The Indian currency symbol, ₹, is the visual sign for the rupee. INR identifies the currency using letters, while Rs is a traditional abbreviation for rupees.

Form	Meaning	Example
₹	Indian rupee symbol	₹500
INR	Indian rupee currency code	INR 500
Rs	Traditional abbreviation for rupees	Rs 500

For international bookings or currency comparisons, INR makes the intended currency clear because other countries also use currencies called rupees.

Avoid writing “₹500 INR” when one identifier is enough. Either ₹500 or INR 500 communicates the amount clearly.

Who designed the Indian rupee symbol?

The Indian currency symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar and approved by India’s Union Cabinet on 15 July 2010. His design was selected following a public competition that received more than 3,000 entries.

The design combines the Devanagari letter र, pronounced “ra”, with the Latin capital R without its vertical stem. It includes two horizontal lines near the top. According to the designer’s explanation published by the Ministry of Finance, these lines and the space between them also reference India’s tricolour flag.

The distinct symbol helps identify India’s currency separately from other currencies called rupees or rupiah.

Interesting facts about the Indian Rupee Symbol (₹)

The rupee's symbol is a combination of Devanagari Ra and Roman R, and the letters are taken from the words 'Rupiah' in 'Hindi' and Rupees in 'English'.

The lines on the Symbol (horizontal) are known as Shrio Rekha, and they are a distinct element of the Devnagri Script. This element of the Indian alphabet is preserved in the Rupee sign.

The sign consists of two horizontal lines separated by a little gap. This is done, however, to create a background of the tricolor, India's national flag.

The two lines indicate the mathematical sign 'equal', which represents a balanced economy.

The inventor, Udaya, developed the emblem while keeping other currency symbols in mind. It also seems to be a member of the symbol family while making its presence known.

How do you read and use the symbol?

The Indian currency symbol normally appears before the amount. These illustrative examples show how to read it:

• ₹50: fifty rupees.
• ₹500: five hundred rupees.
• ₹1,500: one thousand five hundred rupees.
• ₹100,000: one lakh rupees, equivalent to one hundred thousand rupees.

When comparing prices, check the currency shown at checkout. A booking website may display an amount in your home currency instead of Indian rupees.

Planning a visit involves more than understanding local prices. Before booking your trip, check your Indian e-Visa eligibility and requirements. If eligible, our e-Visa service can assist with your application preparation.