Currency profile
Saudi Riyal (SAR)
The Saudi riyal (SAR) is the official currency of Saudi Arabia, divided into 100 halalas. It has been pegged to the US dollar at 3.75 since the 1980s, which makes it one of the most stable currencies in the Gulf.
The Saudi Riyal today
Mid-market · as of 6:11 PM GST
Against the US dollar the riyal is fixed at 3.75, so that figure barely moves; because the UAE dirham is also pegged to the dollar, the riyal-dirham rate is almost fixed too. It is the rate against floating currencies like the euro and rupee that changes.
Exchange-rate regime
Fixed peg to the US dollar. The riyal has been held at 3.75 to the US dollar since 1986 and was formally fixed to the dollar in 2003. Against every other currency the riyal therefore moves with the US dollar.
The issuing central bank
The Saudi Central Bank was founded in 1952 as the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and renamed the Saudi Central Bank in 2020, keeping the abbreviation SAMA. It issues the riyal and maintains the dollar peg.
History
- 1952The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) was established as the central bank.
- 1986The riyal was set at 3.75 to the US dollar — the rate still in force today.
- 2003The riyal was formally pegged to the US dollar at 3.75.
- 2020SAMA was renamed the Saudi Central Bank, keeping the same abbreviation.
Coins and banknotes
One riyal is divided into 100 halalas. Coins: 5, 10, 25 and 50 halalas and 1 and 2 riyals. Banknotes: 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 riyals, issued by the Saudi Central Bank.
Popular Saudi Riyal pairs
What moves it
- Because it is pegged to the US dollar, the riyal’s value against other currencies tracks the dollar rather than independent Saudi monetary policy.
- The Saudi Central Bank holds foreign reserves to defend the 3.75 peg and generally moves its policy rates in step with the US Federal Reserve.
- Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest sources of outbound remittances, so large volumes of riyals are exchanged for other currencies (World Bank).
Structural facts reviewed 8 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly. Sources: Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) · World Bank. Live rates are mid-market — see our Methodology and Editorial Policy.