Turkish Lira Symbol (₺)
The Turkish Lira symbol (₺) is the official graphic mark of the currency of Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Encoded at Unicode U+20BA, the design resembles a stylized half-anchor or letter 't' leaning at a 20-degree angle with double upward-slanted crossbars.
Typographic & Developer Encoding Codes
Quickly copy HTML entities, CSS content escape sequences, and Unicode code points for Turkish Lira.
| Format | Value / Code | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Symbol | ₺ | Standard plain text character or abbreviation | |
| Unicode Code Point | U+20BA | TURKISH LIRA SIGN (Currency Symbols) | |
| Windows Input / Alt Code | Word: 20BA, 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 | \20BA | For CSS ::before or ::after pseudo-elements |
How to Type Turkish Lira Symbol (₺) on Any Device
Windows PC
In Microsoft Word, type 20BA 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 Turkish keyboard: tap 123 then ₺
Android (Gboard)
Switch to Turkish keyboard: tap ?123 then ₺
Formatting Rules & Real-World Examples
Symbol Placement: Before Amount
In standard financial notation, the Turkish Lira symbol is positioned immediately before the numerical amount.
Typography & International Usage Guidelines
The Central Bank of Turkey specifies that the symbol ₺ must be placed before the numeric amount without an intervening space (₺100). In Turkish numerical notation, dots are used for thousands separators and commas for decimal places (₺1.000,50).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Placing the symbol after the amount (writing 100₺ instead of the central bank's prescribed ₺100).
- Using the legacy abbreviation TL in contexts where the official glyph ₺ is required.
- Confusing the Turkish Lira symbol (₺) with the British Pound (£) or historic Italian Lira (₤).
Historical Background & Monetary Evolution
The Ottoman Lira was introduced in 1844 during the Tanzimat reforms, replacing the kuruş as the principal unit of account. Prior to 2012, the currency was commonly abbreviated as 'TL' (Türk Lirası). To give the currency a distinctive global symbol, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB) launched a national design contest in September 2011. The winning design, created by Tülay Lale, was officially unveiled by the central bank on March 1, 2012. The Unicode Consortium approved the glyph for inclusion in Unicode 6.2 in September 2012.
Countries & Jurisdictions Using ₺
Related Tools & Guides for Turkish Lira
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 Turkish Lira (₺)
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
What is the meaning behind the Turkish Lira symbol design?
According to the Central Bank of Turkey, the anchor shape symbolizes the currency as a safe haven and foundation of economic security, while the two upward-slanted parallel lines represent rising growth and forward momentum.
How to type the Turkish Lira symbol on a Turkish keyboard?
On Windows keyboards with the Turkish Q or Turkish F layout, press AltGr + T. On macOS with a Turkish keyboard, press Option + T.
Is Northern Cyprus using the Turkish Lira?
Yes. The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) uses the Turkish Lira as its official currency and legal tender.