Business /

Watch: UAE Central Bank warns of 8 mistakes when using new Dirham symbol

CBUAE issues new video guidance on social media, reminding residents and businesses

Last updated: September 01, 2025 | 18:46

Justin Varghese, Your Money Editor

2 MIN READ

The new symbol of UAE Dirham unveiled by the Central Bank in March this year.

WAM

Dubai: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) is once again drawing attention to the proper use of the new dirham symbol.

In a video posted today on its official X account, the bank highlighted the dos and don’ts that residents, businesses, and retailers need to follow.

“As every symbol holds value, every use carries responsibility,” the CBUAE noted in the video, which outlined eight common mistakes to avoid:

Wrong placement – The symbol must always be before the numeral, never after.
No spacing issues – Leave sufficient space between the symbol and the number.
No distortion – Do not stretch, skew, or alter the shape.
Respect structure – Maintain its original geometric proportions.
Height matters – Match the symbol’s height to the numeral’s height.
Text direction – Ensure the symbol aligns with the text’s direction.
Clear surrounding space – Leave one-third of its height as empty space around it.
Strong contrast – Keep enough color contrast against the background.

Where it belongs

Invoices, receipts, and POS systems – Always placed before the numeral, never alongside “AED” or “Dh.”
Retail and price tags – To be displayed before product prices.
Digital platforms – Consistent alignment across mobile apps, banking portals, and websites.

Where it shouldn’t be used

In company logos, app icons, or decorative branding.
Alongside “AED” or “Dh” abbreviations.
In legal or formal writing where the word “Dirhams” must be spelled out.

Also Read: How to correctly use new UAE Dirham symbol, spot incorrect use

Why it matters now

The dirham’s new symbol, unveiled in March 2025, is a major step toward giving the UAE’s currency a unified global shorthand like the $, £, and €. But the symbol has yet to be approved by Unicode, meaning it cannot be typed across all devices and platforms just yet.

Until then, the CBUAE’s latest video reminder serves as a timely guide for businesses and residents, ensuring the new symbol is used consistently and correctly as it enters daily transactions.

Justin VargheseYour Money Editor

Justin is a personal finance author and seasoned business journalist with over a decade of experience. He makes it his mission to break down complex financial topics and make them clear, relatable, and relevant—helping everyday readers navigate today’s economy with confidence. Before returning to his Middle Eastern roots, where he was born and raised, Justin worked as a Business Correspondent at Reuters, reporting on equities and economic trends across both the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.