The currency of the United Kingdom — the pound sterling — is one of the world’s oldest and most recognized currencies still in use. Its symbol, the £, is familiar to millions of people worldwide. But where does this symbol come from, how is it used today, and how do you type it on different devices? This guide explores everything you need to know about the pound sterling sign.
What Is the Pound Sterling Symbol?
The pound sterling sign is £. It represents the official currency of the UK, which has the ISO code GBP (Great Britain Pound). In writing, you’ll usually see it placed before the number, such as £50.
Origin and History
The design of the £ symbol has a long history connected to Latin and medieval usage:
- The symbol comes from the Latin word libra, a Roman unit of weight, which is also where the abbreviation “lb” for pounds (weight) comes from.
- The stylized “L” developed over time into the £ sign we know today.
- It was adopted to represent the currency of England as early as the Middle Ages, when the pound sterling became a standard of trade and coinage.
Thus, the £ is essentially a decorative “L,” sometimes with one or two crossbars, depending on style and typeface.
Unicode and Encoding
For digital use, the pound sign is encoded in Unicode:
- Unicode: U+00A3
- HTML code:
£or£ - Character: £
How to Type the Pound Sterling Symbol (£)
Windows
- On a UK keyboard: Press
Shift + 3. - On a US keyboard: Hold
Altand type0163on the numeric keypad.
Mac
- Press
Option + 3to type £.
Linux
- With a UK layout:
Shift + 3. - Using Unicode entry:
Ctrl + Shift + U, then typea3, and pressEnter.
Mobile Devices
- On iOS or Android: Long-press the currency key (like $) on the keyboard, and choose £ from the options.
Usage in Writing
Here’s how the £ symbol is typically used:
- Placement: Always comes before the amount. Example: £20, not 20£.
- Spacing: In English usage, no space is added between £ and the number. Example: £100.
- International Context: Sometimes paired with the currency code GBP, such as “GBP £500,” to avoid confusion with other pound-based currencies (e.g., Egyptian pound, Syrian pound).
Pound Sterling vs. Other Pound Currencies
Many countries have used the term “pound” for their currencies, but the £ symbol is most strongly associated with the British pound sterling. Other pound currencies include:
- Egyptian pound (EGP)
- Lebanese pound (LBP)
- Syrian pound (SYP)
- South Sudanese pound (SSP)
These currencies may also use £ as a symbol, though in international finance, the ISO code (GBP, EGP, etc.) is preferred to avoid confusion.
Examples of Usage
- Retail price: £9.99
- Salary: “Her annual income is £45,000.”
- International statement: “The contract is valued at GBP £2 million.”
Comparison Table
| Symbol | Currency | ISO Code | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | Pound Sterling | GBP | £100 |
| £ | Egyptian Pound | EGP | EGP £200 |
| £ | Lebanese Pound | LBP | LBP £50,000 |
FAQ
Is £ always used before the number?
Yes. In UK English, the pound sign precedes the number with no space (e.g., £25). Other currencies may follow different conventions, but this is the standard for GBP.
Is the pound sign the same as the hash (#)?
No. The £ sign comes from the Latin “L” for libra, while the hash sign (#) is unrelated. They may share a key on some keyboards, but they are different characters.
What’s the difference between £ and GBP?
£ is the symbol, while GBP is the three-letter ISO 4217 code used in finance, banking, and international trading. For example, “£10” and “GBP 10” both mean ten pounds, but GBP is unambiguous globally.
Conclusion
The pound sterling symbol (£) is one of the world’s most recognizable currency signs. Rooted in the Latin word “libra,” encoded in Unicode at U+00A3, and widely supported on modern keyboards and devices, it continues to symbolize the UK’s long financial history. Whether you’re writing prices in Britain, coding a website, or working with international finance, using £ correctly helps ensure clarity and professionalism.
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