Ghanaian Cedi Symbol (₵)
The Ghanaian Cedi symbol (₵) represents the official currency of the Republic of Ghana. Encoded at Unicode U+20B5, the glyph consists of a capital letter C crossed by a single vertical bar.
Typographic & Developer Encoding Codes
Quickly copy HTML entities, CSS content escape sequences, and Unicode code points for Ghanaian Cedi.
| Format | Value / Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Symbol | ₵ | Standard plain text character or abbreviation | |
| Unicode Code Point | U+20B5 | CEDI SIGN (Currency Symbols) | |
| Windows Input / Alt Code | Word: 20B5, 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 | \20B5 | For CSS ::before or ::after pseudo-elements |
How to Type Ghanaian Cedi Symbol (₵) on Any Device
Windows PC
In Microsoft Word, type 20B5 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)
Switch to Akan/Ghana keyboard or copy-paste
Android (Gboard)
Switch to English (Ghana) keyboard or copy-paste
Formatting Rules & Real-World Examples
Symbol Placement: Before Amount
In standard financial notation, the Ghanaian Cedi symbol is positioned immediately before the numerical amount.
Typography & International Usage Guidelines
The Cedi symbol is placed before the amount without a space (₵50.00). In international commerce and banking software where the specialized glyph ₵ is not supported, the ISO 4217 code GHS is used. 1 Cedi is divided into 100 pesewas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the Cedi sign ₵ (U+20B5, vertical bar) with the Cent sign ¢ (U+00A2, vertical/slanted bar through lowercase c).
- Assuming the cedi replaced the US dollar (it replaced the Ghanaian pound in 1965).
- Using the obsolete ISO code GHC instead of modern GHS.
Historical Background & Monetary Evolution
The word 'cedi' derives from the Akan word 'sedie', meaning cowrie shell, which served as historical money across West Africa before colonization. On July 19, 1965, Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, introduced the cedi to replace the colonial Ghanaian pound at a rate of 2.40 cedis to 1 pound (1 cedi = 100 pence). In 2007, the Bank of Ghana redenominated the currency (creating the Ghana Cedi, GHS) by lopping off four zeros (1 GHS = 10,000 old GHC).
Countries & Jurisdictions Using ₵
Related Tools & Guides for Ghanaian Cedi
ISO 4217 Lookup
Search standard three-letter currency codes and ISO country pairings.
ToolCurrency Formatter
Calculate before/after position styles and international decimal notations.
GuideMac Option Key Shortcuts
How to configure and type international financial marks quickly on macOS.
GuideGoogle Docs & Sheets Guide
Insert special characters and configure currency formats in spreadsheets.
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
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 Ghanaian Cedi (₵)
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
What is the difference between the Cedi sign (₵) and Cent sign (¢)?
The Cedi sign (₵, U+20B5) is built from a capital letter C crossed by a vertical stroke. The Cent sign (¢, U+00A2) is built from a lowercase letter c.
What did the Cedi replace in 1965?
The cedi replaced the post-colonial Ghanaian pound in July 1965 at a rate of 2.40 cedis = 1 pound.
What is the subunit of the Ghanaian Cedi?
1 Cedi is divided into 100 pesewas. The word 'pesewa' also derives from traditional Akan gold-weight terms.