South African rand Symbol (R)
R is the symbol for the South African rand, currency code ZAR. Click it below to copy it, then paste it into your invoice, spreadsheet, price list or message.
The South African rand is used in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini. Its subunit is the cent.
A plain capital R, with no bar or stroke.
South African rand symbol codes
| Detail | Value | Notes | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symbol | R | The South African rand sign | |
| ISO 4217 code | ZAR | Use this in accounting systems and APIs | |
| Unicode | U+0052 | Code point | |
| HTML (decimal) | R | Works in any HTML document | |
| HTML (hex) | R | Same character, hexadecimal form | |
| CSS | \0052 | For use in a content property | |
| Windows ALT code | ALT 82 | Hold ALT and type on the numeric keypad | |
| Where it goes | R100 | The symbol goes in front of the amount, with no space: R1,250.00. |
No symbol on this page matches that search. Try a shorter word.
Other currency symbols
See the full list on the currency symbols page.
How to type the South African rand symbol
On Windows, hold ALT and type 82 on the numeric keypad, then let go of ALT. In Microsoft Word you can also type 0052 and press ALT + X, which turns the code into R.
On a Mac, press CTRL + CMD + SPACE to open the Character Viewer, search for "south african rand", and double click the symbol. On iPhone and Android, press and hold the currency key on the keyboard to reveal a row of alternative symbols.
In HTML, write R. In a UTF-8 document you can simply paste R into the source and it will display correctly.
- Copy button above: fastest option on any device.
- Windows: ALT 82 on the numeric keypad.
- Word: 0052 then ALT + X.
- Mac: Character Viewer with CTRL + CMD + SPACE.
Formatting ZAR amounts correctly
The symbol goes in front of the amount, with no space: R1,250.00.
Thousands separators and decimal marks change by country as well. Getting the symbol right and the separators wrong still looks wrong, so check both when you are writing for an audience in South Africa.
In a spreadsheet, do not type the symbol into the cell. Format the cell as currency and pick ZAR instead, so the value stays a number you can calculate with.
Using R in Excel and Google Sheets
In Excel, select the cells, press CTRL + 1, choose Currency or Accounting, then pick the South African rand from the symbol list. Accounting format lines the symbols up down the column, which is what you want on an invoice.
In Google Sheets, use Format, then Number, then Custom currency, and search for ZAR. Sheets keeps the cell numeric, so SUM and other formulas keep working.
Why R sometimes shows as a box
A box, a question mark or two odd letters means the font or the encoding is at fault, not the character. Make sure the document is saved as UTF-8 and use a font with wide coverage such as Arial, Segoe UI, Noto Sans or Helvetica.
Older systems that predate U+0052 in their fonts will not have a glyph for it. In that case, fall back to the ZAR code, which every system can display.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copy the South African rand symbol?
Click the large R at the top of this page. It goes straight to your clipboard, then press CTRL + V (CMD + V on a Mac) to paste it.
What is the ALT code for R?
ALT 82. Hold ALT, type the digits on the numeric keypad, then release ALT. The number row along the top of the keyboard will not work.
What is the currency code for the South African rand?
ZAR. That is its ISO 4217 code, and it is what banks, payment systems and APIs expect.
Does R go before or after the number?
The symbol goes in front of the amount, with no space: R1,250.00.
Can I use R in a filename or a URL?
Avoid it. Currency symbols are legal in many filenames but they are percent-encoded in URLs and can break older systems. Use the ZAR code instead.