The Australian dollar symbol is written A$ or AU$. There is no single dedicated character for it in Unicode, so you build it from ordinary keyboard characters: type the letter A (or the letters A and U), then a dollar sign, $. The dollar sign sits at Shift+4 on most keyboards, and the currency’s ISO 4217 code is AUD.
Tap either version to copy it, then paste it into your document, spreadsheet, or chat. For other money glyphs, the copy-and-paste symbols tool keeps the whole set in one place.
Australian dollar symbol codes at a glance
Because the Australian dollar has no character of its own, the only part with a real code point is the dollar sign. Here is how the pieces break down.
| Symbol | Name | Unicode (hex) | Alt code (decimal) | HTML entity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A$ | Australian dollar (A + dollar sign) | No single code point | Type A, then Alt+36 | A$ |
| AU$ | Australian dollar (AU + dollar sign) | No single code point | Type A and U, then Alt+36 | AU$ |
| $ | Dollar sign | U+0024 | Alt+0036 | $ |
The dollar sign sits below code point 128, so the leading-zero rule that trips people up on higher Alt codes does not apply here: Alt+36 and Alt+0036 both give you $. On nearly every keyboard, pressing Shift+4 beats any Alt code.
Type A$ on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook
On all three, A$ takes three keystrokes. Type A, then hold Shift and press 4 for the dollar sign. For AU$, type A, then U, then Shift+4.
If your keyboard layout hides the $ key or puts it somewhere odd, use a fallback:
- Windows: hold Alt and type 36 on the numeric keypad (the top-row number keys will not work), or open Character Map, pick the dollar sign, and copy it.
- Mac: open the Character Viewer with Ctrl+Cmd+Space, search for “dollar”, and double-click the result. Macs have no Alt codes.
- Chromebook: press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 0024, then Enter. An underlined u shows while you type the code. Chromebooks have no Alt codes either.
Type A$ in Word, PowerPoint, and Google Docs
There is nothing to insert. Type A$ or AU$ straight in; all three treat it as plain text. Skip Insert → Symbol, because the abbreviation is not one character it could offer you.
If you type A$ dozens of times a day in Word, add an AutoCorrect entry under File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options, so a trigger like “aud/” expands to A$ automatically.
Australian dollars in Excel and Google Sheets
Spreadsheets are the one place the method changes. You can type the literal text A$50, but to keep the cell as a real number you will format it instead.
In Excel, select the cells, press Ctrl+1, choose Custom, and enter the format code "A$"#,##0.00. Excel’s built-in Currency list also has a $ English (Australia) option, though that shows a plain $ rather than A$.
In Google Sheets, select the cells and go to Format → Number → Custom currency, then type an A$ pattern. If you need an OS-level input method inside a cell, press F2 first to enter edit mode.
Type A$ on iPhone and Android
On both phones, the dollar sign lives on the symbols layer. Type A (or A and U), tap the 123 key, and $ appears on the first page of symbols. Tap it and you are finished.
To make it automatic, set up a text replacement. On iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement.
On Android: Settings → System → Languages & input → Personal dictionary. Map a short trigger like “aud” to A$.
Notion, Slack, Discord, and Canva
These all accept A$ as ordinary typed text, so type it straight into the message box, page, or text layer. There is no shortcode or emoji picker involved. Because they use your system keyboard, the same text-replacement shortcut from your phone or computer keeps expanding “aud” to A$ inside them.
Where you’ll use A$
A$ and AU$ turn up on price tags, invoices, and product listings aimed at buyers overseas, where a bare $ would be ambiguous. Travel budgets, financial articles, and cross-border contracts use the prefix so nobody mistakes Australian dollars for US or Canadian ones.
In running text, a writer often uses A$ on first mention, then switches to a plain $ once the currency is clear from context.
A$, AU$, or AUD: which to use
All three refer to the same money. A$ is the compact price form, common inside Australia and in retail. AU$ adds a letter for extra clarity and shows up on international listings and travel sites.
AUD is the ISO 4217 code, used in finance, exchange rates, and anywhere a standard three-letter code belongs, as in AUD 50. 00 or the USD/AUD pair.
The dollar sign itself is shared by dozens of currencies, from the US and Canadian dollars to the Mexican peso, which is exactly why the prefix exists. You can see how each one sets itself apart in this world currency symbols list.
Related guides
- Browse more currency symbol guides
- How to type the Canadian dollar symbol (C$)
- Type the Egyptian pound symbol (E£)
- Type the Israeli shekel symbol (₪)
- Copy and type the Bitcoin symbol (₿)
- Type the Ghana cedi symbol (₵)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single Australian dollar sign?
No. Australia uses the ordinary dollar sign $, prefixed with A or AU to tell it apart from other dollars. There is no unique character the way the euro (€) or pound (£) has one.
What is the difference between A$, AU$, and AUD?
They all mean Australian dollars. A$ and AU$ are the prefixed dollar-sign forms used for prices; AUD is the ISO 4217 three-letter code used in finance and exchange rates. AU$ is slightly clearer than A$ for an international audience.
Why does it look the same as the US dollar sign?
Because it is the same character, U+0024. More than twenty currencies share the dollar sign, so only the A or AU prefix marks an amount as Australian. That is why cross-border pricing rarely shows a bare $.
Can I use A$ in a username or bio?
Yes. A$ and AU$ are just letters and a dollar sign, all supported everywhere, so they work in usernames, bios, and profile fields with no risk of showing as an empty box.
Is there an Alt code for A$?
Not for the whole thing, since it is two or three separate characters. You type A and U from the keyboard and can produce the $ with Alt+36 on the numeric keypad, but pressing Shift+4 is faster.