Myanmar Currency & Exchange Rate

The Kyat is today the official currency of Myanmar (Burma) which is often abbreviated as “K” and placed before the numerical value (e.g. K200). Kyat is presently released in notes (no coin) of value K1, K5, K10, K20, K50, K100, K200, K500, K1.000, K5.000 and K10.000.
Besides the official Kyat, the US dollar is also widely accepted in Myanmar as an alternative currency, especially for tourists in Myanmar trips, it is larger purchases such as hotels, luxurious restaurants, flights, etc. from foreigners. It may be sometimes at a worse rate if these transactions are paid in kyat. On the other hand, for smaller purchases such as taxi, buses, and cheaper to mid-range meals payment made in kyat are more preferable.

Details about Myanmar Currency - Burmese Kyat Paper Money

(Images of observing and reverse)
K1
The Front of the 1 Kyat Banknote shows Bogyoke Aung San.
The Back of the 1 Kyat Banknote shows a Guilloche pattern.

The color of this Banknote is orange. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 110 x 55 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is “Bogyoke Aung San”. This Banknote was first issued on 01.03.1990.

The Front of another 1 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe, a leogryph (lion-like creature). It is often seen at entrances of pagodas and temples in Burma, depicted in pairs meant as guardians to protect the holy places and is also used as a State symbol. The Chinthe is typically shown as an animal and sometimes with a human face. After 1988, it appears on all denominations of Burmese Banknotes and coins.

The color of this Banknote is blue-purple. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 110 x 55 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is “BCM”. This Banknote was first issued on 31.10.1996.
The Back of this 1 Kyat Banknote shows Boat-rowing at Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon.

The color of this Banknote is blue-purple. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 110 x 55 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is “BCM”. This Banknote was first issued on 31.10.1996.

K5
The Front of the 5 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.

The Back of the 5 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinlone cane ball game.

The color of this Banknote is brown and blue. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 130 x 60 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 01.05.1995.
The Front of another 5 Kyat Banknote also shows the Chinthe.
The Back of this 5 Kyat Banknote also shows the Chinlone cane ball game.
The color of this Banknote is brown and blue. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 130 x 60 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is a “Chinthe bust over denominational value”. This Banknote was first issued on 01.03.1997.

K10
The Front of the 10 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 5 Kyat Banknote shows a Karaweik (a Royal Regalia boat).
The color of this Banknote is purple. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 130 x 60 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 01.05.1995.
The Front of another 10 Kyat Banknote also shows the Chinthe.
The Back of this 10 Kyat Banknote also shows a Karaweik (a Royal Regalia boat).
The color of this Banknote is purple. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 130 x 60 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is “Chinthe bust over the denominational value”. This Banknote was first issued on01.03.1997.

K20
The Front of the 20 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 20 Kyat Banknote shows the People’s Park and Elephant Fountain, Yangon.
The color of this Banknote is green. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 145 x 70 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe bust over the denominational value”. This Banknote was first issued on 27.03.1994.

K50
The Front of the 50 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 50 Kyat Banknote shows a Lacquerware artisan.

The color of this Banknote is orange-brown. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 145 x 70 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 27.03.1994.

K100
The Front of the 100 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 100 Kyat Banknote shows a temple renovation. The color of this Banknote is blue, green and pink. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 145 x 70 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 27.03.1994.
Simultaneously, another 100 Kyat Banknote was circulated with the same features on both sides, except that the watermark showed the “Chinthe bust overvalue”.

K200
The Front of the 200 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 200 Kyat Banknote shows an elephant teak-logger.
The color of this Banknote is dark green. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 165 x 80 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 27.03.1990.
Later, another 200 Kyat Banknote was issued with the same features on both sides, except that the watermark showed the “Chinthe bust overvalue” in 1998.

Then again, on 11.12.2004, another 200 Kyat Banknote was issued having the same features as the earlier Banknote, except with the size/dimensions being reduced to 150 x 70 mm.

K500
The Front of the 500 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 500 Kyat Banknote shows a General Mahabandoola statue being painted. The colour of this Banknote is purple and brown. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 165 x 80 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued on 27.03.1994.

Simultaneously, another 500 Kyat Banknote was circulated with the same features on both sides, except that the watermark showed the “Chinthe bust overvalue”.

Then again, on 10.10.2004, another 500 Kyat Banknote was issued having the same features as the earlier Banknote, except with the size/dimensions being reduced to 150 x 70 mm.

K1.000
The Front of the 1.000 Kyat Banknote shows the Chinthe.
The Back of the 1.000 Kyat Banknote shows the Ministry of Finance and Revenue building.
The color of this Banknote is green and purple. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 165 x 80 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Chinthe”. This Banknote was first issued in November 1998.

Simultaneously, another 1.000 Kyat Banknote was circulated with the same features on both sides, except that the watermark showed the “Chinthe bust overvalue”.

Then again, on 11.10.2004, another 1.000 Kyat Banknote was issued having the same features as the earlier Banknote, except with the size/dimensions being reduced to 150 x 70 mm.

K5.000
The Front of the 5.000 Kyat Banknote shows a white elephant.
The Back of the 5.000 Kyat Banknote shows the Parliamentary Complex in Naypyitaw.
The color of this Banknote is orange and pink. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 150 x 70 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Elephant profile overvalue”. This Banknote was first issued on 01.10.2009.

K10.000
The Front of the 10.000 Kyat Banknote shows the State Seal of Myanmar.
The Back of the 10.000 Kyat Banknote shows the Mandalay Royal Palace Moat.
The color of this Banknote is blue, red, purple, green, brown and yellow. The size/dimensions of this Banknote is 150 x 70 mm. The Watermark on this Banknote is the “Lotus flower profile overvalue”. This Banknote was first issued on 15.06.2012.