Malaysian Ringgit Symbol (RM)
The Malaysian Ringgit is symbolized by the capital Latin letters RM. Issued by Bank Negara Malaysia, it is the official legal tender of Malaysia, subdivided into 100 sen.
Typographic & Developer Encoding Codes
Quickly copy HTML entities, CSS content escape sequences, and Unicode code points for Malaysian Ringgit.
| Format | Value / Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Symbol | RM | Standard plain text character or abbreviation | |
| Encoding Classification | Plain Latin Letters | Written as standard text without a single dedicated Unicode point | |
| Base Character / Block | None (Plain Latin letters) | None (Written as plain text) | |
| HTML Representation | RM | Standard text in HTML documents (No dedicated entity) | |
| CSS Content String | "RM " | CSS content string for pseudo-elements |
How to Type Malaysian Ringgit Symbol (RM) on Any Device
Windows PC
Type RM directly as standard letters on your physical keyboard.
Mac / macOS
Type RM directly as plain letters on your keyboard.
iPhone & iPad (iOS)
Type RM
Android (Gboard)
Type RM
Formatting Rules & Real-World Examples
Symbol Placement: Before Amount
In standard financial notation, the Malaysian Ringgit symbol is positioned immediately before the numerical amount.
Typography & International Usage Guidelines
In Malaysian English and Malay text, 'RM' is positioned before the numeric amount without a space (RM50 or RM100.00). In international financial accounting, the standard ISO 4217 code is MYR.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Claiming the name 'Ringgit' was created in 1993 (the currency was officially named Ringgit under the 1975 Act; 1992–1993 standardized the RM symbol).
- Inventing fake HTML entities like &ringgit; (it is typed as plain ASCII 'RM').
- Using the obsolete abbreviation M$ in modern commercial invoices.
Historical Background & Monetary Evolution
The word 'ringgit' is an obsolete Malay word meaning 'jagged' or 'serrated', referencing the milled serrated edges of the Spanish-American silver dollars that circulated widely in Portuguese- and Dutch-ruled Malaya during the 16th and 17th centuries. Following the dissolution of the Malaya and British Borneo currency union in June 1967, Malaysia issued the Malaysian Dollar (M$). On August 28, 1975, the Malaysian government formally changed the official names of the currency to 'Ringgit' and 'sen' under the Malaysian Currency (Ringgit) Act 1975. In December 1992, Bank Negara Malaysia standardized the official written currency abbreviation to 'RM', replacing all remaining uses of 'M$'.
Countries & Jurisdictions Using RM
Related Tools & Guides for Malaysian Ringgit
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 Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
What does the word 'Ringgit' mean?
Ringgit means 'jagged' or 'toothed' in classical Malay. It referred to the serrated edge of Spanish silver coins introduced by European traders to prevent coin shaving.
When was the abbreviation 'RM' officially adopted?
The currency was officially renamed Ringgit under the Malaysian Currency (Ringgit) Act 1975. In December 1992, Bank Negara Malaysia officially standardized the abbreviation to 'RM' to replace 'M$'.
Is there a dedicated Unicode character for Malaysian Ringgit?
No. The Malaysian Ringgit is written as plain Latin capital letters 'R' and 'M'. No single Unicode code point exists.