Husain Alhaboubi

The new Saudi Riyal symbol is more than just a currency marker—it’s a bold statement of Saudi Arabia’s identity. Officially approved by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on February 20, 2025, this symbol draws inspiration from Arabic calligraphy, stylizing the word “Riyal” with the letters Ra (ر), Ya (ي), and Lam (ل) in a sleek, geometric design. It’s a fusion of cultural heritage and modern vision, reflecting the Kingdom’s push toward global prominence under Vision 2030.

What does it mean? Beyond its practical use, it signifies national pride and economic strength, crafted by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to elevate the Riyal’s status worldwide. Unlike the old “﷼” symbol, this new design isn’t yet in Unicode, but it’s already a symbol of progress. Curious how it fits into your digital world? Let’s explore.

Feeling Lost with the New Saudi Riyal Symbol?

If you’ve ever stared at your screen wondering how to type or display the new Saudi Riyal symbol, you’re not alone. For developers, marketers, and professionals handling financial data, the shift to this new symbol can feel overwhelming. It’s not yet on your keyboard, and standard software doesn’t recognize it. This frustration is real, especially when accuracy and professionalism matter in your work. I’ve been there, and I get how this small change can disrupt your workflow.

The good news? You don’t have to struggle alone. Thousands of others—coders, IT experts, and digital marketers—are navigating this transition too. Whether it’s a website price tag or an Excel report, we all want a seamless solution. Let’s dive into this challenge together and turn it into an opportunity.

Illustrating the Struggle: A Developer’s Dilemma

Picture this: Sarah, a web developer in Riyadh, is updating an e-commerce site for a Saudi client. The client insists on using the new Saudi Riyal symbol to reflect national pride. Sarah tries typing it, but her keyboard offers only the old “﷼” or “SAR.” She searches online, but no standard font supports it yet. Deadlines loom, and her frustration grows as she resorts to clunky workarounds like images or text labels. Her site looks inconsistent, and she worries about losing credibility.

This scenario mirrors what many face. I’ve spoken with IT pros who’ve spent hours tweaking Excel sheets, only to find the symbol missing from default options. Marketers, too, scramble to align branding with this cultural shift. It’s a shared pain point—wanting to embrace the new symbol but hitting technical roadblocks. If this sounds familiar, keep reading; there’s a way out.

Dreaming of a World with the New Saudi Riyal Symbol Everywhere

Imagine a world where the new Saudi Riyal symbol flows as easily as the dollar sign ($). You type it effortlessly on your keyboard, and it pops up perfectly in Word, Excel, or your website. Clients see consistent, professional pricing, and your reports shine with cultural authenticity. No more hunting for workarounds or settling for “SAR.” Instead, you’re ahead of the curve, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s financial identity with pride.

This isn’t a distant dream—it’s within reach. Picture your website loading with the symbol in crisp Arabic-inspired design, or your Excel sheets aligning numbers with elegance. It feels empowering, right? You save time, boost accuracy, and impress stakeholders. Let’s make this vision real with practical steps you can start today.

Your Guide to Mastering the New Saudi Riyal Symbol

Ready to solve this? I’ve created a custom font, “SaudiRiyal,” to bridge the gap until Unicode catches up. Here’s your step-by-step path to using the new Saudi Riyal symbol like a pro:

Step 1: Download and Install the Font

First, grab the “SaudiRiyal” font from this link. It’s available in .ttf format, perfect for Windows, and compatible with macOS too. On Windows, right-click the file and hit “Install.” For macOS, double-click and select “Install Font” in Font Book. This takes seconds and sets you up for success.

Why this font? The new symbol isn’t in Unicode yet, unlike the old “﷼” (U+FDFC). My solution ensures you can use it now, across platforms. Once installed, it’s ready for Word, Excel, or web projects. Check your font list to confirm it’s there—it’s your key to unlocking the symbol.

Step 2: Use It in Websites

For web developers, integrate the font with CSS. Upload “SaudiRiyal.ttf” to your server or CDN, then add this to your stylesheet:

@font-face {
    font-family: 'SaudiRiyal';
    src: url('path/to/SaudiRiyal.ttf') format('truetype');
}
.price {
    font-family: 'SaudiRiyal';
    font-size: 24px;
}

Apply the “price” class to your HTML elements, and the symbol displays beautifully. Test it across browsers—visitors need the font loaded, so ensure your hosting is solid. For official guidelines, see SAMA’s usage document. This keeps your site professional and compliant.

Here is an example when using the above CSS snippet and applying the font to the text like this:

<span class="price">R</span>

The result would be:

R

A Font-free Alternative: Try New Saudi Riyal Symbol SVG

Want a font-free solution? You can embed the new Saudi Riyal symbol right into your HTML using inline SVG. This method skips the entire font-installation process, saving you time. With SVG, you’re essentially placing scalable vector artwork directly into your code—no need to upload or host a separate file. It’s a single snippet that looks crisp on any screen size.

Below is the exact SVG code you can copy and paste wherever you need the symbol to appear. Simply insert it into your HTML, and it will display just like an image—only more flexible:

<svg id="Layer_1" data-name="Layer 1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1124.14 1256.39" style="width:24px; height:24px; fill:black;">
  <defs>
    <style>
      .cls-1 {
        fill: #231f20;
      }
    </style>
  </defs>
  <path class="cls-1" d="M699.62,1113.02h0c-20.06,44.48-33.32,92.75-38.4,143.37l424.51-90.24c20.06-44.47,33.31-92.75,38.4-143.37l-424.51,90.24Z" />
  <path class="cls-1" d="M1085.73,895.8c20.06-44.47,33.32-92.75,38.4-143.37l-330.68,70.33v-135.2l292.27-62.11c20.06-44.47,33.32-92.75,38.4-143.37l-330.68,70.27V66.13c-50.67,28.45-95.67,66.32-132.25,110.99v403.35l-132.25,28.11V0c-50.67,28.44-95.67,66.32-132.25,110.99v525.69l-295.91,62.88c-20.06,44.47-33.33,92.75-38.42,143.37l334.33-71.05v170.26l-358.3,76.14c-20.06,44.47-33.32,92.75-38.4,143.37l375.04-79.7c30.53-6.35,56.77-24.4,73.83-49.24l68.78-101.97v-.02c7.14-10.55,11.3-23.27,11.3-36.97v-149.98l132.25-28.11v270.4l424.53-90.28Z" />
</svg>

You’ll notice the style attribute for width, height, and fill color. Adjust these values as you see fit:

Size: Change width and height (e.g., width:50px; height:50px;) to resize the symbol.

Color: Modify fill (e.g., fill:#008000;) to match your design.

Unlike images, this inline SVG scales beautifully without losing clarity. And because you’re using code only, there’s no extra upload or hosting step—everything is self-contained. For developers, it’s a quick fix that maintains design consistency, while marketers or financial pros love how easy it is to adjust branding colors. Whether you prefer a dedicated font or inline SVG, both approaches let you showcase the new Saudi Riyal symbol with style and convenience.

The result:

Step 3: Add It to Word and Excel

In Microsoft Word or Excel, select your text or cell, then switch the font to “SaudiRiyal” from the dropdown. Type the symbol (check the font’s character map if needed). For Excel specifics, ensure cell formatting supports custom fonts. It’s simple but transformative for reports or invoices.

Need it often? Set up a text replacement in your OS—on Windows, use Character Map; on macOS, tweak Keyboard settings. This saves time and keeps your workflow smooth. SAMA also offers the symbol in PNG or SVG for visual use if fonts aren’t an option.

Step 4: Troubleshoot and Optimize

If the symbol doesn’t show, double-check the font installation and application settings. Some tools may resist custom fonts—consult their docs. For web, verify the font file’s path in CSS. Want it in vector format? Grab the EPS version from SAMA for design projects.

Optimize by testing on multiple devices. Consistency is key—your audience expects clarity. This method works until Unicode adds the symbol, giving you an edge now.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Saudi Riyal Symbol

What’s the Saudi Riyal Symbol Meaning?

It’s a stylized “Riyal” in Arabic calligraphy, blending Ra (ر), Ya (ي), and Lam (ل). Approved on February 20, 2025, by King Salman, it reflects Saudi heritage and Vision 2030’s global goals. It’s a cultural and financial milestone.

How Do I Use It on a Keyboard?

Without Unicode, it’s not a standard key yet. Use “SaudiRiyal” font and copy-paste or set shortcuts via system settings. Future updates may simplify this.

Why Isn’t It in Unicode?

It’s new—Unicode adoption lags. The old “﷼” is U+FDFC, but the custom font fills the gap for now.

What’s Your Next Step?

You’ve got the tools to wield the new Saudi Riyal symbol confidently. Whether it’s enhancing a site, report, or app, you’re set to lead. How will you integrate it into your next project? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear how you make it yours.