United States Dollar

The United States Dollar (USD) is the official currency of United States of America. With the symbol $, it is managed by the Federal Reserve System (Fed). The currency was introduced in 1792 and is subdivided into 100 Cent. It's commonly known by its nickname "Buck, Greenback".

Rates updated Sep 21, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC.

Currency Name

United States Dollar

Currency Code

USD

Symbol

$

Country

United States of America

Central Bank

Federal Reserve System (Fed)

Introduced

1792

Subunit

1/100 Cent

ISO Numeric Code

840

The United States Dollar was established by the Coinage Act of 1792. Originally based on the Spanish dollar, it became one of the world's most influential currencies. The Federal Reserve System, established in 1913, became the central banking authority responsible for monetary policy.

The USD is the world's primary reserve currency, held by most central banks globally. It serves as the benchmark currency for international trade, commodities pricing (including oil and gold), and is the most traded currency in the foreign exchange market.

As the dominant global reserve currency, the USD is used in approximately 88% of all foreign exchange transactions. It's the official currency of the United States and several other countries, and is widely accepted for international trade and investment.

• 1The dollar sign ($) may have originated from the Spanish peso
• 2About 45% of all US dollar bills are $1 notes
• 3The average lifespan of a $100 bill is 15 years