CNY · ¥
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
The Chinese yuan (CNY) is the official currency of the People's Republic of China. Learn about its history, role in global trade, and key characteristics.
Convert this currency
Converted amount
0.1482 USD
Exchange rate
1 CNY = 0.148188 USD
Updated
8/9/2026 12:00 AM
Source
ApiForex Managed Source 3
CNY · Chinese Yuan
Chinese Yuan (CNY): Overview and History
The Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB), is the official currency of the People's Republic of China. Its ISO code is CNY, and its symbol is ¥. The yuan is issued by the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank. In international contexts, the currency is often referred to as the renminbi, meaning 'people's currency,' while the yuan is the primary unit of account.
The yuan has a long history, with modern versions dating back to the late 19th century. Since 1949, it has been managed by the People's Bank of China. For many years, the yuan was pegged to the US dollar, but since 2005, it has been managed against a basket of currencies, allowing for gradual adjustment. In 2016, the yuan was included in the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket, reflecting its growing importance in global finance.
Today, the yuan is widely used in international trade and finance, particularly in Asia. It is a major settlement currency for cross-border transactions involving China. The Chinese government has been promoting the internationalization of the yuan, though it remains subject to capital controls. For those interested in currency markets, the yuan's value is influenced by China's economic performance, trade balances, and monetary policy decisions.
- Code
- CNY
- Symbol
- ¥
- Current rate
- USD / CNY
Currency information
Last updated · 8/7/2026
The Renminbi was introduced in 1948, shortly before the founding of the People's Republic of China.
- Official name
- Renminbi
- Legal tender status
- Legal tender in mainland China
- Decimal places
- 2
- Minor unit
- Fen · 1 CNY = 100 Fen
- Countries
- China
- Territories
- Hong Kong, Macau
- Issuing authority
- People's Bank of China
- Central bank
- People's Bank of China · Official website
- Exchange-rate regime
- Managed floating exchange rate
Common banknotes
1 yuan · 5 yuan · 10 yuan · 20 yuan · 50 yuan · 100 yuan
Common coins
1 fen · 2 fen · 5 fen · 1 jiao · 5 jiao · 1 yuan
Also known as
RMB · CNY · Yuan · Chinese yuan · Renminbi · ¥ · Yuan chinois
Practical notes
- The symbol ¥ is also used for the Japanese yen.
- In everyday usage, 'yuan' refers to the base unit, while 'renminbi' is the official name of the currency.
Priority currency pairs
The most useful conversions for this currency.
Chinese Yuan questions
What is the CNY exchange rate?
The displayed rate is the latest available reference rate for USD/CNY. It can change throughout the day.
How can I convert CNY online?
Use the converter above to calculate indicative amounts between CNY and the other supported currencies.