Cent (currency) - Symbol

Symbol

A cent is commonly represented by the cent sign, a lower-case letter "c" pierced top to bottom by a forward slash or a vertical line: ¢; or a simple "c", depending on the currency (see below). Cent amounts between 1 cent and 99 cents can be represented as one or two digits followed by the appropriate abbreviation (2¢, 5¢, 75¢, 99¢), or as a subdivision of the base unit ($0.99).

The cent sign has not survived the changeover from typewriters to computer keyboards (replaced positionally by the caret). The dollar sign however, remains. On Windows-based computers, holding Alt while typing 0162 on the numeric keypad will create the cent sign; on Macintosh systems, ⌥ Option+4; on Unix systems with a compose key, Compose+|+C is a typical sequence.

Usage of the cent symbol varies from one currency to another. In the United States and Canada, the usage ¢ is more common, while in Australia, New Zealand and the eurozone, the c is more common. In South Africa and Ireland, only the c is ever used.

When written in English, the cent sign (¢ or c) follows the amount (with no space between), versus a larger currency symbol placed at the beginning of the amount. For example 2¢ and $0.02, or 2c and €0.02, or as in Dutch; 2 ct.