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What is a ticker symbol?

A ticker symbol is the short code of letters, such as AAPL for Apple, that identifies a stock, fund or coin when you look it up or place an order.

Worked example

You want to invest $1,000 in a company and type its name into a search box. Two companies can have similar names but different tickers, so you check the company name next to the ticker before you buy. A $1,000 order for the wrong ticker buys $1,000 of the wrong company.

Some companies have more than one class of shares, each with its own ticker and price: Alphabet trades as GOOGL and GOOG. Crypto pairs add the currency, so BTC-USD is bitcoin priced in US dollars.

Practice it on JagSim

On JagSim you search a stock or coin to open its chart and order ticket. Stocks and funds use their exchange tickers, such as AAPL or SPY, and coins trade as US-dollar pairs such as BTC-USD. The stock pages list popular tickers by sector. JagSim does not adjust a holding for a ticker change. How trading works on JagSim.

FAQ

How are ticker symbols chosen?

A company chooses a symbol that is free when it lists on an exchange. Short, memorable symbols are popular, and a few are a single letter.

Can a ticker symbol change?

Yes, after a name change, a merger or a move to another exchange. The shares are the same; only the code changes.

What do letters after a dot or a dash mean?

They often mark a share class, such as Class A or Class B shares, which can have different voting rights and prices.

Are ticker symbols the same on every site?

Mostly, but formats differ: a share class may be written with a dot on one site and a dash on another, and coins may carry the currency, as in BTC-USD.

Related terms
Practice it on JagSim →

Last updated: October 2026

Educational only. Not investment advice. JagSim is a simulator, not a broker.

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