Introduction
For many years, Iran’s currency has been a topic for discussion, as it can easily confuse travelers. Officially, Rial is Iran’s currency, but in everyday life, almost everyone uses Toman.
The entire difference is actually quite easy to understand:
1 Toman = 10 Rials
If something costs:
- 100,000 Rials → Iranians usually say 10,000 Tomans
- 500,000 Rials → Iranians usually say 50,000 Tomans
- 1,000,000 Rials → Iranians usually say 100,000 Tomans
All you need to do is remove a zero from Rial to get it in Toman
Why are there two currency names in Iran?
The official currency of Iran, the Rial, comes from Spanish real. This currency was used during the era of European maritime trade.
On the other hand, Toman comes from the Turkic-Mongol word “tümen,” meaning 10,000. It was a large accounting unit used during the Mongol and later Persian periods.
So historically, Iranians have been using Toman. While the government is officially using Rial, Iranian people are using Toman for transactions because it is easier.
Toman vs Rial: The Quick Comparison
| Rial | Toman | |
|---|---|---|
| Official currency | Yes | No (currently) |
| Used on banknotes | Yes | No |
| Used by ordinary people | Rarely | Almost always |
| Conversion | 10 Rials = 1 Toman | 1 Toman = 10 Rials |
How can I understand the prices in Iran?
The main source of confusion for international travelers is that the prices written in shops are in Tomans, while the bank notes are in Rials.
For example, in a restaurant’s menu it says 650 تومان. It means 650,000 Tomans, which in official Rial terms is 6,500,000 Rials.
Some menus on smaller family-run restaurants are in Iranian numbers. You can read more about numbers in Iran here.
How to avoid making a mistake as a tourist?
- Always Ask: “Toman or Rial?”
- Be Careful with Large Numbers
- Iranians usually make the numbers shorter. For example, the seller says 500. Usually, it means 500,000 Tomans.
- 100 = 100,000 Tomans
- 200 = 200,000 Tomans
- Count Zeros Carefully
If the taxi driver says 150, it means 150,000 Tomans or 1,500,000 Rials.
- If the taxi driver says 150, it means 150,000 Tomans or 1,500,000 Rials.
Is it ever going to change?
For many years, Iranian governments have discussed changing the currency from Rial into Toman and removing zeros from the currency.
- simplify financial transactions
- reduce confusion
- make accounting easier
- restore confidence in the currency
Why Is This Important for Travelers?
It is important to understand Toman when you are visiting Iran. The reason behind it is:
- Restaurant menus use Toman
- Taxi drivers quote prices in Toman
- Shops advertise prices in Toman
- Locals discuss salaries and expenses in Toman
Not knowing about the Rial and Toman difference makes everything look 10 times more expensive.
Conclusion
While it sounds confusing and difficult at first, it is quite easy to understand the difference. All you need to do is divide the price in Rials by 10, and you can easily get the price in Tomans. Always make sure to ask Toman or Rial if you are not sure.
