Swiss Franc (CHF): Symbol, Currency Code & What CHF Stands For
CHF stands for Confoederatio Helvetica Franc — the ISO 4217 code for the Swiss franc, the official currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its symbol is Fr. (or SFr. internationally). The currency is issued by the Swiss National Bank and is widely regarded as the world's leading safe-haven currency.
CHF stands for "Confoederatio Helvetica Franc". Confoederatio Helvetica is the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation, and "franc" is the currency — so CHF is the ISO 4217 currency code for the Swiss franc. Latin is used because Switzerland has four official languages and CHF stays neutral across all of them. The ISO numeric code is 756.
The Swiss franc symbol is Fr. within Switzerland and SFr. in some international contexts. One franc divides into 100 Rappen (German), centimes (French), centesimi (Italian) or rap (Romansh). It is managed by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and has floated freely since January 2015.
What is the symbol and code for the Swiss franc?
Within Switzerland, the franc is written as Fr. — a price of Fr. 50 in Zurich, Geneva or Basel means 50 Swiss francs. In international finance and on exchange platforms, the three-letter ISO code CHF is the standard. The form SFr. ("Swiss Franc") was widely used before ISO codes became universal and is still seen in older publications and on some Swiss banknotes.
The ISO numeric code is 756, and the three-letter code is CHF. Unlike most major currencies, the Swiss franc has no widely used standalone glyph — international SWIFT messages, invoices and contracts use CHF exclusively. In formatted amounts, the code goes before the figure: CHF 100, not 100 CHF.
Why is the Swiss franc code CHF? The four names of the franc
Switzerland has four official languages, and the Swiss franc has a different name in each. The ISO code "CHF" uses Latin precisely because no one of the four languages can be favoured over the others — Latin is neutral.
The same logic applies to the subunit: 100 Rappen in German-speaking cantons, 100 centimes in French-speaking cantons, 100 centesimi in Italian-speaking Ticino and 100 rap in the Romansh-speaking valleys of Graubünden. Swiss banknotes display the country name "Confoederatio Helvetica" in Latin, alongside denominations in all four official languages.
Swiss Franc — Quick Facts
| Currency name | Swiss Franc |
|---|---|
| ISO 4217 code | CHF (Confoederatio Helvetica Franc) |
| ISO numeric code | 756 |
| Symbol | Fr. (SFr. or sFr. internationally) |
| Subunits | 100 Rappen / centimes / centesimi / rap |
| Issuing authority | Swiss National Bank (SNB) |
| Used in | Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Büsingen am Hochrhein (Germany), Campione d'Italia (Italy) |
| Banknote denominations | 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 1,000 francs |
| Coin denominations | 5, 10, 20 Rappen / centimes; ½, 1, 2, 5 francs |
| Banknote material | Cotton-paper composite (Durasafe substrate) |
| Free float since | January 2015 (EUR/CHF floor abandoned) |
| Most-traded pair | EUR/CHF |
A short history of the Swiss franc
The Swiss franc was introduced in May 1850 by the newly federal Swiss state, replacing the various cantonal currencies that had circulated until then. From 1865 to the late 1920s, the franc was part of the Latin Monetary Union, exchanged at par with the French, Belgian and Italian francs.
Switzerland left the gold standard in 1936 but maintained a strong currency throughout the 20th century. The franc's reputation as a safe-haven asset grew during the Cold War, reinforced by Switzerland's political neutrality and tradition of banking discretion.
In September 2011, after the franc surged during the European sovereign debt crisis, the Swiss National Bank introduced a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 CHF per EUR to protect Swiss exporters, holding this floor for over three years.
On 15 January 2015, the SNB abruptly abandoned the EUR/CHF floor — an event known as the "Frankenschock". The franc gained around 30% against the euro within minutes, the largest single-day move ever recorded in a major free-floating currency. CHF has traded freely since then.
Swiss bank holidays affecting CHF payments in 2026
CHF transfers do not settle on Swiss federal public holidays. The Swiss National Bank and Swiss commercial banks observe the following holidays in 2026 — cantonal holidays may add further non-settlement days depending on the bank's registered canton.
- New Year's DayThursday 1 January 2026
- BerchtoldstagFriday 2 January 2026 (most cantons)
- Good FridayFriday 3 April 2026
- Easter MondayMonday 6 April 2026
- Labour DayFriday 1 May 2026 (most cantons)
- Ascension DayThursday 14 May 2026
- Whit MondayMonday 25 May 2026
- Swiss National DaySaturday 1 August 2026
- Christmas DayFriday 25 December 2026
- St Stephen's DaySaturday 26 December 2026
For time-critical CHF transfers, allow at least one extra working day around these dates. Cantonal holidays such as Corpus Christi (predominantly Catholic cantons) or Geneva's Jeûne genevois may also affect settlement depending on the originating or receiving bank's canton.
Transferring CHF — what to know for larger payments
For private clients
Swiss property purchases (Zürich, Geneva, Lugano), repatriation of pension and investment proceeds, payments to Swiss boarding schools and universities, and gifting to Swiss-based family are the most common reasons UK and international clients convert into or out of CHF with a specialist broker.
Above CHF 25,000, the rate margin matters: a 1% difference equals CHF 250. A forward contract lets you fix today's rate up to 12 months ahead — useful given the franc's sensitivity to safe-haven flows.
For businesses
UK and EU businesses paying Swiss suppliers (machinery, pharmaceuticals, watches, financial services), settling Swiss payroll or receiving CHF revenue typically benefit from a dedicated specialist for amounts over CHF 25,000 per transfer or recurring monthly volumes.
Cambridge Currencies operates with FCA-authorised partners Currencycloud (FRN 900199) and ScioPay (FRN 927951). All transfers are completed by phone with a dedicated specialist.
Popular CHF currency pages
Live rates, historical charts and conversion tables for the most-traded Swiss franc pairs.
Swiss Franc (CHF) — Frequently Asked Questions
What does CHF stand for?
CHF stands for Confoederatio Helvetica Franc. "Confoederatio Helvetica" is the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation, and "franc" is the currency. CHF is the ISO 4217 code for the Swiss franc; its numeric code is 756.
What is the symbol for the Swiss franc?
The Swiss franc symbol is Fr. within Switzerland and SFr. in some international contexts. There is no standalone glyph — banking, FX and invoicing use the three-letter ISO code CHF.
What is the currency of Switzerland called?
Switzerland's currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). It is also the official currency of Liechtenstein. One franc divides into 100 Rappen, centimes, centesimi or rap, depending on the language region.
What is the three-letter code for the Swiss franc?
The three-letter ISO 4217 code for the Swiss franc is CHF, and the country/numeric code is 756. CHF is the only form used in SWIFT transfers and international invoicing.
Does CHF go before or after the number?
CHF goes before the number — for example, CHF 100 or CHF 1,500.00. Within Switzerland, the symbol form Fr. is also placed before the amount, as in Fr. 100.
Why is the Swiss franc code in Latin?
Switzerland has four official languages — German, French, Italian and Romansh — each with its own name for the franc. The Latin "Confoederatio Helvetica" is used so no single language is favoured, which is why the code is CHF.
Is the Swiss franc a safe-haven currency?
The Swiss franc is widely regarded as a safe-haven currency, meaning it tends to hold or gain value during periods of global financial stress. This can make timing important for large CHF transfers, as the rate may move sharply during market turbulence.
How do I transfer a large amount of CHF?
For larger CHF transfers, a specialist currency broker typically offers tighter exchange rates than a high-street bank. Cambridge Currencies operates with FCA-authorised partners Currencycloud and ScioPay and completes every transfer by phone with a dedicated specialist. You can request a CHF transfer quote or use a forward contract to fix a rate ahead of time.