What Currency Does Somalia Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 572.00 SOS
1 GBP ≈ 766.82 SOS
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
SOS converter
100 SOS ≈ 0.1748 USD
Somali shilling conversion table
| Amount | USD → SOS | GBP → SOS | EUR → SOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 572.00 | 766.82 | 653.35 |
| 5 | 2,860 | 3,834 | 3,267 |
| 10 | 5,720 | 7,668 | 6,533 |
| 20 | 11,440 | 15,336 | 13,067 |
| 50 | 28,600 | 38,341 | 32,667 |
| 100 | 57,200 | 76,682 | 65,335 |
| 500 | 286,002 | 383,412 | 326,673 |
| 1,000 | 572,004 | 766,825 | 653,346 |
| SOS | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0017 | 0.0013 | 0.0015 |
| 5 | 0.0087 | 0.0065 | 0.0077 |
| 10 | 0.0175 | 0.013 | 0.0153 |
| 20 | 0.035 | 0.0261 | 0.0306 |
| 50 | 0.0874 | 0.0652 | 0.0765 |
| 100 | 0.1748 | 0.1304 | 0.1531 |
| 500 | 0.8741 | 0.652 | 0.7653 |
| 1,000 | 1.7482 | 1.3041 | 1.5306 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 SOS is worth about 0.0017 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Somali shilling ranks 112th by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Somalia? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Somali shilling spending.
What is money called in Somalia?
Money in Somalia is called the Somali shilling — its ISO 4217 currency code is SOS, and its symbol is Sh. The Somali shilling is the official legal tender in Somalia and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Somalia currency or simply money in Somalia.
Is the Somali shilling used anywhere else?
No — Somalia is the only country on this site using the Somali shilling as its official currency.
Not to be confused with other shilling currencies
Several currencies carry the name “shilling”, but each one is separate, with its own code, value and issuing country. The Somali shilling (SOS) is the currency of Somalia.
| Currency | Code | Used in | 1 USD = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyan shilling | KES | Kenya | 129.17 |
| Tanzanian shilling | TZS | Tanzania | 2,624 |
| Ugandan shilling | UGX | Uganda | 3,657 |
Practical money tips for Somalia
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Somali shilling in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Money essentials for Somalia
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Somalia in context
- Somalia covers 637,657 km², making it the 41st largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 3 countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya.
- With 19,655,000 people, Somalia holds about 4.5% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Somalia is a member state of the United Nations.
Somalia currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Somalia?
The currency of Somalia is the Somali shilling (currency code: SOS, symbol: Sh).
What is the currency code for Somalia?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Somali shilling is SOS.
What is the Somali shilling symbol?
The symbol for the Somali shilling is Sh. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Somalia.
What currency is used in Somalia?
The official currency used in Somalia is the Somali shilling (SOS).
Can I use US dollars in Somalia?
The official currency of Somalia is the Somali shilling, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Somali shilling and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Somalia?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 572.00 SOS and 1 GBP = 766.82 SOS. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Somalia?
Money in Somalia is called the Somali shilling (SOS).
Do other countries use the Somali shilling?
No — Somalia is the only country on this site using the Somali shilling as its official currency.
What is the Somali currency?
The Somali currency is the Somali shilling (SOS), the official money of Somalia.
What is the currency of the Federal Republic of Somalia?
The Federal Republic of Somalia is the formal name of Somalia. Its currency is the Somali shilling (SOS).
How much is 100 SOS in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 SOS is about 0.1748 USD or 0.1304 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Somali shilling?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 57,200 SOS.
Is the Somali shilling the same as other shilling currencies?
No. Several currencies share the word, but each is a separate currency with its own code and value. The Somali shilling is SOS; others include Kenyan shilling (KES), Tanzanian shilling (TZS), Ugandan shilling (UGX).
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