What is the currency of Qatar?

The currency of Qatar is the Qatari Riyal, abbreviated QAR or QR.

The modern Qatari riyal emerged from the monetary changes that followed the end of British protection in the Gulf. Before the present currency, Qatar used currencies including the Gulf rupee and the Qatar and Dubai riyal. Qatar began issuing its own separate riyal on 19 May 1973, after Dubai joined the United Arab Emirates and adopted the UAE dirham.

One Qatari riyal is divided into 100 dirhams. The Qatar Central Bank manages the currency, and the riyal has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at approximately 3.64 QAR to 1 USD. This fixed exchange rate supports stability in trade and finance, especially for Qatar’s energy-exporting economy.

A common mix-up is confusing Qatar’s currency with the Saudi riyal, Emirati dirham, or currencies named “dinar,” which are used in several other Middle Eastern countries. The word “riyal” is also spelled “rial” in some languages and contexts, but “Qatari Riyal” is the standard English name.