The money used in Russia is the Russian ruble (currency code RUB, symbol ₽), the official and only legal tender across the country. Each ruble is divided into 100 kopeks, and the currency is issued and managed by the Central Bank of Russia, also known as the Bank of Russia. As of early 2026, one US dollar trades for roughly 90 rubles, though that figure has swung sharply in recent years.
The Ruble at a Glance
The ruble is the everyday currency for everything from a metro ride in Moscow to a market stall in Vladivostok. Here are the essentials:
- Name: Russian ruble
- ISO code: RUB
- Symbol: ₽
- Subunit: kopek (1 ruble = 100 kopeks)
- Issuing authority: Central Bank of Russia (Bank of Russia)
The distinctive ₽ symbol, a Cyrillic "Р" crossed with a horizontal line, was officially adopted in 2013 after the Bank of Russia ran a public vote to choose a national sign for the currency. It now appears on price tags, keyboards and payment apps throughout the country.
A Currency Older Than Most Nations
The ruble is one of the world's oldest currencies still in circulation, with roots stretching back to the 13th century in the medieval city of Novgorod. Its name is thought to derive from the Russian verb rubit, meaning "to chop," a reference to the way silver bars were cut into smaller weighted pieces that served as money. Over the centuries the ruble outlasted the tsars, the Russian Revolution, the entire Soviet period and the turbulent 1990s.
That history has not been smooth. After the Soviet collapse, hyperinflation eroded the currency so severely that in 1998 the government redenominated it at a rate of 1,000 old rubles to 1 new ruble, simply lopping three zeros off prices and banknotes. More recently, the ruble has faced fresh volatility: international sanctions imposed since 2022 have sharply limited its convertibility and pushed the exchange rate through dramatic highs and lows.
Banknotes and Coins in Use
Russian banknotes are known for celebrating cities and landmarks from across the country's eleven time zones rather than portraits of individuals. The main notes in circulation are:
- ₽5,000 — features the far-eastern city of Khabarovsk
- ₽2,000 — features Vladivostok and the Vostochny Cosmodrome
- ₽1,000 — features the historic city of Yaroslavl
- ₽500 — features the northern port of Arkhangelsk
- ₽200 — features Sevastopol
- ₽100 — features Moscow
The ₽200 and ₽2,000 notes, introduced in 2017, were the first new denominations added in years and the first chosen partly by public vote. Coins circulate in values of 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopeks and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rubles, though low-value kopek coins are increasingly rare in everyday use as prices round to whole rubles.
Paying in Russia Today
Before 2022, Russia was one of the world's most card-friendly countries, with contactless payments accepted almost everywhere. That changed when international networks such as Visa and Mastercard suspended operations, meaning cards issued abroad generally no longer work inside the country. Domestic transactions now run on Russia's own Mir payment system and bank apps, which function smoothly for residents.
For visitors, the practical reality is that foreign bank cards and many international ATMs will not work, so travelers typically need to bring cash, often US dollars or euros, and exchange it for rubles at a Russian bank. ATMs inside Russia dispense rubles to Mir-linked accounts. Tipping of around 10 percent is common and appreciated in restaurants. If you enjoy testing your knowledge of countries and capitals, try our interactive geography games.
The Ruble and Russia's Economy
The ruble is the financial backbone of the world's largest country by land area, an economy heavily shaped by exports of oil, natural gas, metals and grain. Because so much of Russia's revenue comes from energy sold on global markets, the ruble's value tends to track commodity prices and geopolitical events closely. The Bank of Russia uses interest-rate changes and foreign-exchange controls to steady the currency, and the country holds substantial gold and foreign reserves that help underpin confidence in the ruble. To learn more about the country behind the currency, see our russia country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the symbol for the Russian ruble?
The ruble's symbol is ₽, a Cyrillic letter "Р" crossed by a single horizontal stroke. It was officially adopted in 2013 following a public vote and is now used on prices, receipts and digital payments throughout Russia.
How many kopeks are in a ruble?
One ruble is divided into 100 kopeks, the same way a dollar splits into 100 cents. In practice, however, low-value kopek coins are seldom used today because most prices round to whole rubles.
Can tourists use foreign credit cards in Russia?
Generally no. Since 2022, Visa and Mastercard issued outside Russia no longer work within the country. Visitors usually rely on cash brought from home, exchanged for rubles at local banks, since most international cards and ATMs are not accepted.
Is the ruble used anywhere besides Russia?
The Russian ruble is the official currency of Russia and is also used in some breakaway regions within the post-Soviet space, but it is not legal tender in most neighboring countries, which maintain their own national currencies.