USDollar

The United States dollar, commonly called the US dollar and abbreviated USD, is the official currency of the United States and its territories. It is the world’s most widely used reserve currency and the primary unit of account in many international transactions. The ISO 4217 code is USD and the symbol is $. The dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. It exists as physical currency—banknotes issued by the Federal Reserve and coins minted by the U.S. Mint—and as electronic money used in payments, settlements, and banking systems.

The dollar’s issuance is coordinated by the Federal Reserve System, with coin production and distribution handled by the U.S. Mint under the U.S. Treasury. The United States retired the gold standard and moved to a fiat currency framework, with the Bretton Woods system ending in 1971 and the dollar subsequently floating against other currencies.

As the leading global reserve currency, the USD is held in significant quantities by central banks and used in a large share of international trade invoicing and settlement. Many commodities, including oil, are priced in dollars, and the dollar-dominated international banking system enables wide transaction access. The dollar's status is supported by factors such as the size and openness of the U.S. economy, the depth of U.S. financial markets, and monetary policy conducted by the Federal Reserve.