Malaysia currency: the ringgit and how you pay

The ringgit, the sen coins, and how cash, cards and rounding fit together.

By the Local SIM Malaysia team, checked October 2, 2026

Illustration: plain paper banknotes in soft colours and three coins beside a glass of iced tea on a wooden table, a market lane in warm light behind.

The short answer

Malaysia's currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR), written RM. Bank Negara Malaysia is the sole issuer of ringgit banknotes and coins, the only legal tender: notes from RM1 to RM100 and coins from 5 to 50 sen. Over-the-counter totals are rounded to the nearest 5 sen, and cash worth 10,000 US dollars or more must be declared at the border.

The ringgit, MYR, written RM: notes from RM1 to RM100 in the current series, and coins from 5 to 50 sen.
Issuer: Bank Negara Malaysia is the sole issuer of ringgit banknotes and coins, the only legal tender in Malaysia.
Rounding: an over-the-counter total is rounded to the nearest 5 sen, and the 1 sen coin remains legal tender.
Cards and cash: ATMs are readily available, but some major hotels do not accept credit cards, and card and ATM fraud is reported.
At the border: declare cash or travellers cheques worth 10,000 US dollars or more, in any currency; taking that much ringgit in or out needs approval first.

Checked October 2, 2026

Cash and cards, in practice

Where	What to know
Notes and coins	Current series: RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 notes, and 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen coins.
At the till	Over-the-counter totals round to the nearest 5 sen; the rule applies to the total, not to individual items.
Cards	Some major hotels do not accept credit cards; ATMs are readily available, and card and ATM fraud is reported.
At the border	Cash and travellers cheques of 10,000 US dollars or more must be declared; ringgit that size needs approval first.

Notes and coins
What to know
Current series: RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 notes, and 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen coins.
At the till
What to know
Over-the-counter totals round to the nearest 5 sen; the rule applies to the total, not to individual items.
Cards
What to know
Some major hotels do not accept credit cards; ATMs are readily available, and card and ATM fraud is reported.
At the border
What to know
Cash and travellers cheques of 10,000 US dollars or more must be declared; ringgit that size needs approval first.

The ringgit in practice

The issuer
Bank Negara Malaysia is the sole issuer of ringgit banknotes and coins, under the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009 and the Currency Act 2020, and the ringgit is the only legal tender in Malaysia.
Rounding at the till
A total ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 sen rounds down, and one ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 rounds up, to the nearest 5 sen; the 1 sen coin remains legal tender.
The border rule
Cash and bearer instruments over 10,000 US dollars equivalent must be declared on entry or exit, and carrying that much ringgit needs Bank Negara Malaysia's approval beforehand.

The bottom line

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One currency for the whole country: the ringgit, a 5 sen rounding at the till, and a declaration only when the cash you carry is large.

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Questions

What is the Malaysia currency?

The Malaysian ringgit, written MYR and RM, issued by Bank Negara Malaysia as the country's only legal tender. Notes run from RM1 to RM100 and coins from 5 to 50 sen, and over-the-counter totals are rounded to the nearest 5 sen.

Can I use my card in Malaysia?

ATMs are readily available, but some major hotels do not accept credit cards, and card and ATM fraud is reported. Use ATMs inside a bank or a busy public place, keep your PIN covered and check your statements.

Do I need to declare cash at the border?

Yes, if you carry cash or travellers cheques worth 10,000 US dollars or more, in any currency; taking ringgit of that size into or out of Malaysia needs approval first.