French Franc Symbol (₣)
The French Franc sign (₣) is the historical currency symbol encoded at Unicode U+20A3 (FRENCH FRANC SIGN). Replaced by the Euro in 2002, the French Franc was France's national currency for over six centuries.
Typographic & Developer Encoding Codes
Quickly copy HTML entities, CSS content escape sequences, and Unicode code points for French Franc.
| Format | Value / Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Symbol | ₣ | Standard plain text character or abbreviation | |
| Unicode Code Point | U+20A3 | FRENCH FRANC SIGN (Currency Symbols) | |
| Windows Input / Alt Code | Word: 20A3, Alt+X / Win + . | Keyboard shortcut for Windows PC | |
| HTML Named / Decimal Entity | None (Numeric: ₣) | HTML5 named character entity | |
| HTML Hex Entity | ₣ | Hexadecimal HTML character reference | |
| CSS Escape Code | \20A3 | For CSS ::before or ::after pseudo-elements |
How to Type French Franc Symbol (₣) on Any Device
Windows PC
In Microsoft Word, type 20A3 then press Alt + X. In other Windows applications, press Win + . to open the Symbol panel, or use 1-click copy.
Mac / macOS
No direct shortcut. Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer, or hold Option and enter hex in Unicode Hex Input.
iPhone & iPad (iOS)
Use Character Viewer / Copy-paste
Android (Gboard)
Copy-paste
Formatting Rules & Real-World Examples
Symbol Placement: After Amount
In standard financial notation, the French Franc symbol is positioned after the amount with a space.
Typography & International Usage Guidelines
In historic French typography, the letter F with a crossbar (₣) or the abbreviation 'F' was placed after the amount (100 ₣ or 100 F). Note that ₣ belongs specifically to the historical French Franc; it is NOT the symbol for the Swiss Franc (CHF).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using ₣ for the Swiss Franc (Switzerland uses CHF or Fr., never ₣).
- Believing ₣ is currently in legal circulation (it was replaced by € in 2002).
- Assuming ₣ has an HTML named entity (there is NO &franc; entity; use ₣).
Historical Background & Monetary Evolution
The first franc coin was minted in Compiègne in December 1360 by King John II ('the Good') to pay his ransom following capture by the English during the Hundred Years' War. The coin depicted the king on horseback with the inscription 'Francorum Rex' ('King of the Franks'). The modern decimal franc was introduced by the French National Convention in 1795. In 1960, Charles de Gaulle introduced the 'Nouveau Franc' (worth 100 old francs). On January 1, 1999, the Euro replaced the French Franc for electronic accounting, and physical franc notes and coins ceased to be legal tender on February 17, 2002 at a fixed conversion rate of 1 EUR = 6.55957 FRF.
Countries & Jurisdictions Using ₣
Related Tools & Guides for French Franc
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GuideGoogle Docs & Sheets Guide
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GuideiPhone & iPad Shortcuts
Quick long-press keyboard shortcuts on iOS to type monetary symbols.
SpecsUnicode Technical Standards
Master technical index for U+20A0–U+20CF blocks, HTML entities & CSS codes.
Similar & Related Currency Symbols
View all Franc Currencies (CHF, CFA, ₣) →Standards Verification & Official Registry Specifications
This specification has been verified against official international standards registries (ISO 4217 Maintenance Agency, Unicode Consortium 16.0, and Unicode CLDR).
Frequently Asked Questions about French Franc (₣)
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
When was the French Franc replaced by the Euro?
The Euro replaced the French Franc for electronic accounting on January 1, 1999, and physical franc cash ceased to be legal tender on February 17, 2002.
What was the final conversion rate between the French Franc and the Euro?
1 Euro = 6.55957 French Francs (FRF).
Is ₣ used for the Swiss Franc?
No. The symbol ₣ (U+20A3) is strictly the historic French Franc symbol. The Swiss Franc uses 'CHF' or 'Fr.'.