Pound Currency Symbols (£)
Derived from the Roman libra weight unit, the Pound symbol (£, Unicode U+00A3) is used by the British Pound Sterling and several Mediterranean, Atlantic, and African currencies.
Pound Currency Classification & Peg Status
Pound currencies divide into sovereign floating national currencies, overseas territories with distinct ISO 4217 codes pegged 1:1 to sterling, and Crown Dependencies that issue local notes under the official ISO code GBP.
| Currency Name | Local Symbol | ISO 4217 | Peg / Monetary Status | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Pound Sterling | £ | GBP (826) | Free-floating national currency | United Kingdom |
| Gibraltar Pound | £ | GIP (292) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP (Currency Board) | Gibraltar |
| Falkland Islands Pound | £ | FKP (238) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP | Falkland Islands |
| Saint Helena Pound | £ | SHP (654) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP | Saint Helena & Ascension |
| Jersey Pound | £ | GBP (JEP ticker) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP (Crown Dependency) | Bailiwick of Jersey |
| Guernsey Pound | £ | GBP (GGP ticker) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP (Crown Dependency) | Bailiwick of Guernsey |
| Isle of Man Pound | £ | GBP (IMP ticker) | Pegged 1:1 to GBP (Crown Dependency) | Isle of Man |
| Egyptian Pound | E£ / ج.م | EGP (818) | Managed floating sovereign currency | Egypt |
| Lebanese Pound | L£ / ل.ل | LBP (422) | Sovereign currency | Lebanon |
| Syrian Pound | LS / £S / ل.س | SYP (760) | Sovereign currency | Syria |
| South Sudanese Pound | SSP / £ | SSP (728) | Sovereign currency | South Sudan |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
Which sovereign currencies use the word 'Pound'?
The United Kingdom (GBP), Egypt (EGP), Lebanon (LBP), Syria (SYP), and South Sudan (SSP) all use currencies called the pound. In addition, Gibraltar (GIP), the Falkland Islands (FKP), Saint Helena (SHP), Jersey (JEP), Guernsey (GGP), and the Isle of Man (IMP) issue distinct local pounds.
Which local pounds are pegged 1:1 to the British Pound Sterling?
Gibraltar (GIP), Falkland Islands (FKP), and Saint Helena (SHP) maintain their own ISO 4217 currency codes pegged 1:1 to GBP. The British Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man issue local legal tender notes pegged 1:1 to sterling, using GBP as their official ISO 4217 currency code.
What does the letter 'L' in the pound symbol (£) mean?
It stands for 'libra', the Latin word for scales or weight, which was the Roman unit of weight (libra pondo) used to measure silver bullion.
How to type the pound sign (£) on Windows and Mac?
On Mac, press Option + 3. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0163 on the numeric keypad (Alt + 0163). In Microsoft Word, type 00A3 then press Alt + X.