What does NOK stand for, and what is a krone?
The currency code, the name and the other krone countries.
Short answer
NOK is the international ISO 4217 code for the Norwegian krone, where NO stands for Norway and K for krone, the name of the currency. Krone means crown, and the plural is kroner. One krone was set at 100 øre in 1875, the year Norway joined the Scandinavian Monetary Union with Denmark and Sweden.
Why
- Under ISO 4217, the first two letters of a currency code are the country code, and the third is the first letter of the currency name.
- The official ISO 4217 list gives NOK as the currency of Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, and Bouvet Island.
- Norway joined the Scandinavian Monetary Union with Denmark and Sweden on 16 October 1875.
Details
Several countries use a currency with the same root name. Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), which is also the currency of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, Sweden uses the krona (SEK) and Iceland the króna (ISK). In the monetary union, coins from all three Scandinavian countries could be used in each of them, but the union lost its significance when the gold standard was abandoned at the outbreak of the First World War.
Tip
When you check a rate or change money, look for the code NOK so you do not mix up Norwegian kroner with Danish (DKK) or Swedish (SEK) money.
Common misconception
Norwegian, Danish and Swedish kroner are the same currency.
What actually happens
They are three separate currencies with their own codes: NOK, DKK and SEK. The monetary union that once linked them lost its significance at the start of the First World War.
People also ask
- What is NOK currency?
- What are kroner?
- Which countries use kroner?
Sources
- ISO: ISO 4217 currency codesChecked at:
- SIX (ISO 4217 maintenance agency): Current currency code listChecked at:
- Norges Bank: 1875 and the Scandinavian Monetary UnionChecked at:
- Norges Bank: Monetary units in Norway since 1514Checked at:
- Visit Norway: Currency and pricesChecked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026.
Currency in NorwayRelated questions
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How do I find the IBAN for my Norwegian bank account?
You find the IBAN for your Norwegian account in your bank's online bank or app under the account details, and also on your account statement.
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Why did my hotel or car rental company block money on my card in Norway?
Hotels and car rental companies reserve money on your card as security, and the reservation is released once the final amount is settled.
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How do I pay a Norwegian invoice with a KID number from abroad?
To pay a Norwegian invoice from abroad, make an international transfer to the payee's IBAN and BIC and enter the KID number as the payment reference.
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Do Norwegian banks charge an annual fee for debit cards?
Yes, banks such as DNB charge an annual fee for an adult debit card, currently NOK 295 a year, while cards for children and young people are free.