riyal

Riyal, also spelled rial, is the name of several currency units used in the Middle East and surrounding regions. The term comes from the Arabic riāl, a historical monetary unit, and transliterations vary between "riyāl" and "rial." The most widely cited riyals are the Saudi riyal (SAR) and the Qatari riyal (QAR). Other currencies that use the name rial or riyal include the Iranian rial (IRR), the Omani rial (OMR), and the Yemeni rial (YER). Each country issues its own banknotes and coins, and the subunit systems differ.

Common subdivisions include: the Saudi riyal is subdivided into 100 halalas; the Qatari riyal into 100 dirhams; and the Omani rial into 1000 baizas. Iran and Yemen have their own historical and contemporary subunit arrangements, with pricing and circulation affected by local economic conditions. In practice, some riyal currencies operate with stable, anchored exchange rates to the U.S. dollar (notably the Saudi and Qatari riyals), while others experience more volatile or multiple exchange-rate mechanisms, as seen with the Iranian rial and the Yemeni rial amid economic pressures and conflict.

Usage and significance vary by country, reflecting differing economic structures, monetary policy, and political conditions. The riyal remains a common regional currency name, with Kishan-like variations in value, subunits, and monetary arrangements across issuing authorities.