Your Guide to the New Saudi Riyal Symbol and How to Start Using It?

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new official symbol for the Riyal, marking a significant step in the evolution of the country’s currency. Whether you are a business owner, developer, or consumer, understanding what this symbol means and how to use it is essential.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from its purpose and design to how to start using it in transactions, branding, and digital platforms.

What is the New Saudi Riyal Symbol?

The new Riyal symbol, inspired by Arabic calligraphy, reflects Saudi Arabia's heritage. It combines Arabic letters for "Riyal" with a modern design for clarity and aesthetics, honoring tradition while reinforcing national identity. Just like the Dollar, Euro, and Pound. It strengthens the Riyal’s identity in global markets while maintaining strong ties to Saudi heritage through its design.

If you have not seen it yet, here is what it looks like:

Why Was It Introduced?

The Saudi Central Bank introduced this symbol to:

• Increase the Riyal’s presence in international financial systems
• Standardize how it appears in digital transactions, banking, and financial reports
• Reflect Saudi Arabia’s modernization efforts under Vision 2030

Integrating the Change

At Tap Payments, we’re all about keeping you ahead of the curve. That’s why we’ve already integrated the new Riyal symbol across all our platforms and applications. This means updated transactions for merchants and a hassle-free experience for everyone involved!

How to Start Using the New Riyal Symbol?

1. Understanding the Official Guidelines

To keep the symbol consistent, the Saudi Central Bank has released an official style guide. Key details include:

• Typography: The symbol should be displayed in its designated Arabic script format.
• Spacing and Positioning: It should appear next to numerical values with the correct spacing
• Color Variations: Approved colors for digital and print use.

Follow the Official Guidelines here.

2. Implementing it in Digital Transactions and Business Operations

If you handle payments or financial transactions, updating your systems is essential.

For businesses and developers, here is what to do:

• Update your payment platforms and invoices to reflect the new symbol
• Adjust price displays on websites, apps, and point of sale systems
• Ensure the correct implementation across accounting software
• Use the official font and style rules to keep it consistent

At Tap Payments, we have already integrated the new Riyal symbol across all our platforms to ensure a smooth experience for merchants and consumers.

3. Downloading and Using the Official Artwork

To use the symbol correctly in designs and documents, download the official artwork from the Saudi Central Bank. This includes:

✅ High resolution versions for digital and print
✅ Approved fonts that include the symbol
✅ Correct alignment and sizing references

Official resources are here.

4. Seeing it in Action

Here is how the new Riyal symbol appears on Tap Payments’ Checkout:

By adopting the new symbol in your financial transactions and business materials, you ensure consistency and compliance with Saudi Arabia’s latest currency standards.

Looking to the Future

The introduction of the Saudi Riyal symbol is more than just a visual update. It strengthens the currency’s global identity and makes it easier to recognize in financial transactions. If you are a business operating in Saudi Arabia, now is the time to update your systems and branding.

For official guidelines and downloadable assets, please visit SAMA Official Website.

Learn about the usage rules for the Saudi Riyal Symbol here.