UAE Dirham Symbol Joins Unicode 18.0, Paving Way for Wider Digital Use

The UAE dirham’s new currency symbol is now part of Unicode 18.0, giving it a standard digital identity that software and device makers can use across platforms. The Unicode Consortium lists the character as “UAE DIRHAM SIGN” at code point U+20C3 in the Currency Symbols block.

Unicode 18.0 was published on 16 September 2026. The addition means the sign can be represented as a defined text character in systems that implement the updated standard, rather than relying solely on an image or a specially made graphic. That creates a clearer path for its use in apps, websites, documents and other digital services.

The Central Bank of the UAE unveiled the dirham symbol in March 2025. It is based on the letter D, with two horizontal lines inspired by the UAE flag and intended to convey monetary stability. The central bank proposed its inclusion in international character standards so the sign could be used more consistently in digital and physical settings.

Its appearance on a particular phone, keyboard or computer is a separate step. Technology companies, operating systems, fonts and applications must add support for the new character. A user may therefore see the symbol on one device or service before it appears on another, even though Unicode has assigned it a code point.

The milestone is especially relevant to retailers, banks, publishers and developers that display prices in dirhams. For now, businesses should test how the character appears across their products before replacing existing “AED” or “Dh” labels in customer-facing material. The Unicode listing sets the common standard; practical rollout will follow the pace of software and hardware updates.