How to correctly use new UAE Dirham symbol, spot incorrect use
Central Bank of the UAE outlines do’s, don’ts of the symbol, how it will affect payments
Dubai: After the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) brought out the design for a brand new symbol for the dirham in March of 2025, the apex bank has outlined the do’s and don’ts of the symbol and how it will affect daily payments.
Previously, the UAE dirham did not have a standard abbreviated name, with it commonly shortened to AED, Dhs and Dh publicly. Now, the CBUAE has established a shortened version of dirham, which will now be a universal shorthand for the UAE’s national currency.
So similar to how other nations use a single symbol for their currencies, such as the $ for the US dollar, the £ for the British pound, and the € for the euro, the new Dirham symbol offers a unified representation of the UAE’s currency.
As the new currency symbol will eventually be rolled out for wider use by businesses and residents alike, the new symbol has so far not been approved by Unicode, the universal system that allows us to type symbols. This approval is essential for enabling the Dirham symbol to be universally accessible across digital platforms and devices, allowing users to type it seamlessly in messages, emails, and websites.
This article explains everything you need to know about the new symbol, including its design, intended uses, and key guidelines for UAE-based public – businesses and residents alike.
How, where to use the Dirham symbol
The CBUAE issued clear guidelines on how the new currency symbol should be used across various applications. From daily purchases to financial statements, here's a breakdown of the rules:
Positioning the symbol: The Dirham symbol must always be placed before the numeral. For example, an amount of 500 Dirhams should be written as 500 preceded by the new Dirham symbol. It should never be used alongside the "AED" abbreviation — just one or the other.
Consistency across platforms: The Dirham symbol should appear with consistent alignment and size in all applications, whether in digital formats or printed documents. In digital interfaces, such as mobile apps or online banking platforms, the symbol must be placed to the left of the numerical value and should scale proportionally with the text.
Clearspace: When using the Dirham symbol as a standalone graphic element (for example, on receipts, invoices, or product tags), it must be surrounded by a minimum clear space of one-third of its height on all sides to maintain legibility and visual clarity.
Font, size consistency: The Dirham symbol must match the height, weight, and font style of the digits it accompanies. In printed materials like receipts or invoices, the symbol must align perfectly with the numerals in terms of size and weight. This ensures the symbol’s visibility and avoids any potential confusion.
Common mistakes to avoid
The Central Bank has outlined several dos and don’ts to ensure the proper usage of the Dirham symbol. These include:
Incorrect placement: Never use the symbol after the number. It must always appear before the figure. For example, the correct usage is (Dirham symbol) 500 and not 500 (Dirham symbol).
Avoid using AED and Dh together: The Dirham symbol should not be used alongside the "AED" abbreviation. Stick to one or the other in all contexts.
Distorting the symbol: The symbol’s shape, size, or proportion should not be altered. The two horizontal bars and the "D" should always remain intact.
Use in legal or formal writing: The symbol should not replace the word "Dirhams" when amounts are written out in full. For instance, it’s correct to say "Five Hundred Dirhams" in legal contexts, but not (Dirham symbol) alongside "Five Hundred Dirhams".
Where the symbol should, should'nt appear
The Dirham symbol is designed for use in official and financial transactions. Its applications include:
Invoices, receipts, and POS systems: The symbol should appear next to numerical values in these documents and systems.
Price tags, retail packaging: In retail environments, the symbol must precede the price, for example, (Dirham symbol) followed by 50 for an item priced at fifty Dirhams.
Mobile apps and digital platforms: The symbol will be used consistently in financial apps, calculators, and on websites that display currency values.
However, the Dirham symbol should not be used as part of a company logo, app icon, or promotional branding. It’s also unsuitable for decorative purposes, such as being part of a splash screen or header.
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