Canadian dollar (symbol) (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)

To standardize the way the symbol for the Canadian dollar is written in English and French, the Translation Bureau makes the following recommendation.

Symbol for the Canadian dollar in English

In general texts

In an English document, when you need to specify the type of dollar (Canadian, American, Australian, etc.), the Translation Bureau recommends using the symbol Can$ to represent the Canadian dollar.

Write the country symbol (Can) first, immediately followed by the dollar sign ($) and the dollar figure:

• Can$25.99

The abbreviation Can$ may also be written entirely in upper case:

• CAN$25.99.

Do not place the dollar sign before the country symbol:

• Can$1.65 (not $Can1.65)

Do not put a space between Can and the dollar sign:

• Can$2.50 (not Can $2.50)

Note: The shorter variant C$ is another symbol frequently used for the Canadian dollar. However, the Translation Bureau does not recommend this symbol, since it has a slight risk of ambiguity: it is also used to represent the Nicaraguan córdoba oro, and occasionally the Cayman Islands dollar as well.

In the area of finance

In the area of finance, especially in texts discussing currency values and exchange rates, the universal code CAD is the usual symbol used.

CAD is the international currency code established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to represent the Canadian dollar. It is composed of the country code (CA), followed by the letter “D” for “dollar.”

Write the code first, followed by a non-breaking space and the dollar figure:

• CAD 350 million
• CAD 125.00 = USD 121.22, at an exchange rate of 0.9697

Note that the dollar sign is redundant if used with the international code CAD:

• CAD 800 000 (not CAD$, CAD $, $CAD or $ CAD)

Symbol for the Canadian dollar in French

In general texts

In a French document, when you need to specify the type of dollar (Canadian, American, Australian, etc.), the Translation Bureau recommends using the symbol $ CA to represent the Canadian dollar.

The symbol $ CA is composed of the dollar sign ($) and CA, the country code established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to represent Canada.

The dollar sign is placed to the right of the dollar figure. Use a non-breaking space after the dollar figure, and between the dollar sign and the country code:

• 25,99 $ CA

Note that the symbols Can and CDN, with or without the dollar sign, are not recommended in French:

• 1,65 $ CA (not $ Can, $ CDN)

In addition, do not place the dollar sign after the country code, and do not omit the space between the dollar sign and the country code:

• 2,50 $ CA (not CA $ or CA$)

Note: The symbol $ CAN is also correct. However, out of a desire for standardization, the Translation Bureau recommends $ CA for use in French.

In the area of finance

In the area of finance, especially in texts discussing currency values and exchange rates, the universal code CAD is the usual symbol used.

CAD is the international currency code established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to represent the Canadian dollar. It is composed of the country code (CA), followed by the letter “D” for “dollar.”

Write the dollar figure first, followed by a non-breaking space and the code:

• 350 000 CAD
• 125,00 CAD = 121,22 USD, selon un taux de change de 0,9697

Note that the dollar sign is redundant if used with the international code CAD:

• CAD 800 000 (not CAD$, CAD $, $CAD or $ CAD)

Additional information

See American dollar (symbol) (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau).