Euro vs. Pound — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
The Euro is the official currency of 19 out of 27 EU countries, symbolized by €, while the Pound Sterling, symbolized by £, is the UK's currency.
Difference Between Euro and Pound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Euro (€) serves as the primary currency for the Eurozone, a monetary union of 19 European Union members. On the other hand, the Pound Sterling (£) is the official currency of the United Kingdom and its territories, holding a unique position outside the Eurozone.
While the Euro was introduced in 1999 to facilitate a unified economic and monetary system across multiple European countries, the Pound Sterling is one of the world's oldest currencies still in use, with origins dating back over a thousand years.
The Euro aims to support economic stability and growth among its member states by removing exchange rate barriers, whereas the Pound Sterling is often seen as a symbol of British sovereignty and economic independence.
In terms of exchange rates, the Euro to Pound rate is subject to fluctuations based on economic indicators, market sentiment, and geopolitical events. Conversely, the Pound's value is influenced by the UK's economic policies, inflation rates, and its relationship with major trading partners.
Euro banknotes and coins are standardized across the Eurozone, featuring common designs that symbolize European unity. Meanwhile, Pound Sterling banknotes and coins vary in design across different parts of the UK, reflecting the country's rich history and cultural diversity.
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Comparison Chart
Introduction Year
1999
8th Century (in various forms)
User Countries
19 out of 27 EU countries
United Kingdom and its territories
Symbol
€
£
Monetary Policy
European Central Bank
Bank of England
Denominations
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1, 2 euros; Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros
Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence, 1, 2 pounds; Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50 pounds
Compare with Definitions
Euro
It was launched in 1999 as a major step in European integration.
The introduction of the Euro marked a significant achievement in EU history.
Pound
The Pound Sterling is the world's oldest currency still in use.
The Pound has a rich history dating back over 1,200 years.
Euro
The Euro is managed by the European Central Bank.
The European Central Bank sets monetary policy for the Eurozone.
Pound
It is the official currency of the United Kingdom.
In the UK, prices are quoted in Pounds Sterling.
Euro
The Euro is the official currency of the Eurozone.
The Euro is used daily by over 340 million Europeans.
Pound
The Bank of England issues and regulates the Pound.
The Bank of England is responsible for maintaining the stability of the Pound.
Euro
The Euro symbol, €, represents European unity.
Prices across the Eurozone are often displayed in Euros.
Pound
The Pound symbol, £, is derived from the Latin word 'libra'.
The £ symbol is an iconic representation of British currency.
Euro
Euros come in both coins and banknotes of various denominations.
The Euro banknotes are distinguished by their unique architectural designs.
Pound
Pound Sterling comes in various denominations of coins and banknotes.
The £5 note is commonly used for everyday transactions.
Euro
The euro (symbol: €; code: EUR) is the official currency of 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union. This group of states is known as the eurozone or euro area and includes about 343 million citizens as of 2019.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Euro
The currency unit of the European Monetary Union. Symbol: €
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Euro
A coin with a face value of one euro.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Euro
Abbreviation of Europeanin any sense.
Euro size
Euro style pad
Pound
See pound-force.
Euro
Macropus robustus, a wallaroo (macropod species).
Pound
See pound-mass.
Euro
The basic monetary unit of most members of the European Union (introduced in 1999); in 2002 twelve European nations (Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Finland) adopted the euro as their basic unit of money and abandoned their traditional currencies
Pound
The primary unit of currency in the United Kingdom, worth 20 shillings or 240 old pence before the decimalization of 1971. Also called pound sterling.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Pound
A heavy blow.
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Pound
The act of pounding.
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Pound
To produce energetically, as from forceful use of the hands. Often used with out
"a tinny piano pounding out Happy Birthday down the block" (Laura Kascischke).
Pound
To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely
Stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose.
Pound
To defeat soundly
Pounded their rivals in the season finale.
Pound
To attack verbally; criticize
Was pounded for months in the press.
Pound
(Slang) To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down
Pounded back a few beers after work.
Pound
To strike vigorous, repeated blows
He pounded on the table.
Pound
To move along heavily and noisily
The children pounded up the stairs.
Pound
To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb
My heart pounded.
Pound
To move or work laboriously
A ship that pounded through heavy seas.
Pound
To confine (an animal) in a pound.
Pound
A unit of weight in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound weight
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound mass
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight.
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 12 troy ounces (≈ 373.242 g). Today, this is a common unit of mass when measuring precious metals, and is little used elsewhere.
Pound
A unit of force in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound force
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of currency in various currency systems
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of currency
Pound
The unit of currency used in the United Kingdom and its dependencies. It is divided into 100 pence. Symbol £.
Pound
Any of various units of currency used in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Syria, and formerly in the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Israel.
Pound
Any of various units of currency formerly used in the United States.
The Rhode Island pound; the New Hampshire pound
Pound
(US) The symbol # (octothorpe, hash, number sign)
Pound
A place for the detention of stray or wandering animals.
Dog pound
Pound
(metonymy) The people who work for the pound.
Pound
(UK) A place for the detention of automobiles that have been illegally parked, abandoned, etc.
Pound
A section of a canal between two adjacent locks.
Pound
A kind of fishing net, having a large enclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
(Newfoundland) a division inside a fishing stage where cod is cured in salt brine
Pound
A hard blow.
Pound
To wager a pound on.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
(transitive) To strike hard, usually repeatedly.
Pound
(transitive) To crush to pieces; to pulverize.
Pound
To eat or drink very quickly.
You really pounded that beer!
Pound
To pitch consistently to a certain location.
The pitcher has been pounding the outside corner all night.
Pound
To beat strongly or throb.
As I tiptoed past the sleeping dog, my heart was pounding but I remained silent.
My head was pounding.
Pound
To penetrate sexually, with vigour.
I was pounding her all night!
Pound
To advance heavily with measured steps.
Pound
(engineering) To make a jarring noise, as when running.
The engine pounds.
Pound
To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.
With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
Pound
To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.
Pound
To strike heavy blows; to beat.
Pound
To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold.
Pound
A level stretch in a canal between locks.
Pound
A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.
Pound
A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.
Pound
16 ounces;
He tried to lift 100 pounds
Pound
The basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Syria; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in the Sudan; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Lebanon; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
Formerly the basic unit of money in Ireland; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Egypt; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Cyprus; equal to 100 cents
Pound
A nontechnical unit of force equal to the mass of 1 pound with an acceleration of free fall equal to 32 feet/sec/sec
Pound
United States writer who lived in Europe; strongly influenced the development of modern literature (1885-1972)
Pound
A public enclosure for stray or unlicensed dogs;
Unlicensed dogs will be taken to the pound
Pound
The act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows);
The sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
The pounding of feet on the hallway
Pound
Hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument;
The salesman pounded the door knocker
A bible-thumping Southern Baptist
Pound
Strike or drive against with a heavy impact;
Ram the gate with a sledgehammer
Pound on the door
Pound
Move heavily or clumsily;
The heavy man lumbered across the room
Pound
Move rhythmically;
Her heart was beating fast
Pound
Partition off into compartments;
The locks pound the water of the canal
Pound
Shut up or confine in any enclosure or within any bounds or limits;
The prisoners are safely pounded
Pound
Place or shut up in a pound;
Pound the cows so they don't stray
Pound
Break down and crush by beating, as with a pestle;
Pound the roots with a heavy flat stone
Common Curiosities
When was the Euro introduced?
The Euro was officially introduced in 1999 for electronic transactions and in 2002 for physical cash.
What is the Pound Sterling?
The Pound Sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom and its territories.
What is the symbol for the Euro?
The symbol for the Euro is €.
What is the Euro?
The Euro is the official currency of 19 out of the 27 European Union countries, known as the Eurozone.
Can you use Euros in the UK?
Generally, the Euro is not accepted for everyday transactions in the UK, with the Pound being the standard currency.
What countries use the Euro?
The Euro is used by 19 EU countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Why is the British currency called "Pound Sterling"?
The name originates from the historical use of silver (sterling) pennies in medieval England, where 240 pennies made a pound of silver.
What is the symbol for the Pound Sterling?
The symbol for the Pound Sterling is £.
Who issues the Pound Sterling?
The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England.
Who manages the Euro?
The Euro is managed by the European Central Bank.
Are there different designs for Euro banknotes in different countries?
Euro banknotes have a common design across all Eurozone countries, symbolizing European unity.
How do Euro and Pound values compare?
The value of the Euro and Pound fluctuates based on economic conditions, with exchange rates varying over time.
What denominations does the Euro come in?
The Euro comes in coins of 1 to 2 Euros and 1 to 50 cents, and banknotes from 5 to 500 Euros.
What denominations does the Pound Sterling come in?
The Pound Sterling comes in coins from 1 penny to 2 Pounds and banknotes from 5 to 50 Pounds.
Do Pound Sterling banknotes look the same throughout the UK?
Pound Sterling banknotes vary in design between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
