The Galactic Credit Standard, also known as the galactic credit, or simply credit, represented a consistent currency utilized across the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the territories belonging to the New Republic, Resistance, and various independent systems after the fall of the Empire. While credits were generally accepted as payment on most developed planets, some merchants located in the Outer Rim Territories, notably on Tatooine, preferred "more tangible" forms of exchange for their goods and services. During the time of the Galactic Republic, they were sometimes referred to as "Republic credits" or "Republic dataries." The decicred, equivalent to one-tenth of a Republic credit, was also known as a "dime." During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems introduced its own version: the Confederacy credit.
During the Age of the Empire, the former Republic currency was phased out and replaced with Imperial credits. With the Battle of Endor marking a turning point, the rise of the New Republic as the governing body of the galaxy led to the adoption of New Republic credits. The inhabitants of Milvayne utilized Milvayne credits. Colloquially, credits were often called "creds," and decicreds were referred to as "decs." The credit symbol () bore a resemblance to the Aurebesh letter R, distinguished by two vertical lines at its upper part.
Credit ingots served as a physical representation of credits, acting as the standard monetary unit within the Galactic Republic and, subsequently, the Galactic Empire. These credit ingots were compact, flat, and rectangular bars composed of gold- and silver-colored metals, with the silver ingots being slightly longer than their gold counterparts. Various symbols, including the credit symbol (), were imprinted onto their surfaces.
Credit chips provided another method for managing and transferring credits.
Individuals could carry credits via credit chips. Credit ingots also existed, frequently stored in vaults and transported under significant protection. During the Age of the Empire, Arquitens-class light cruisers were commonly employed for this purpose.
Watto, a merchant known for his skepticism regarding the value of credits, turned down Qui-Gon Jinn's offer of 20,000 credits in return for a T-14 hyperdrive generator.
AD-W4, a mercenary, viewed credits as the ultimate authority and the true sovereign of the galaxy, surpassing even the power of a god. Similarly, Yana Ro, an Evereni, believed credits were the sole form of power universally respected throughout the galaxy.
Following the formation of the Galactic Empire, Galactic Republic credits were swiftly rendered obsolete, with Imperial citizens compelled to register for identifying chain codes to exchange their now-worthless currency for Imperial credits. Over time, Republic-era credits lost almost all value. Similarly, Galactic Empire credits became worthless after the rise of the New Republic, to the point where Grand Admiral Rae Sloane had to compensate the bounty hunter Mercurial Swift with "owed favors." The New Republic also issued credits, but their value became unstable in 34 ABY after the Hosnian Cataclysm. Consequently, the city of Canto Bight forbade the use of New Republic credits, mandating that all visitors exchange their currency for aurodium-based currency.
Han Solo, a smuggler hoping to win the Millennium Falcon, once located Lando Calrissian at a jungle outpost on Numidian Prime and challenged him to a game of sabacc. A bronze credit was used in the sabacc pot.
When seeking passage to Alderaan on the Millennium Falcon, Obi-Wan Kenobi emphasized to Han Solo the importance of avoiding "Imperial entanglements." Concerned about the potential risks, Solo initially demanded 10,000 credits upfront. As Kenobi and Luke Skywalker had limited resources, Kenobi negotiated an initial payment of 2,000 credits, promising an additional 15,000 upon their safe arrival at Alderaan. Solo considered it a worthwhile risk, given that he and his partner Chewbacca were heavily indebted to Jabba the Hutt and faced a bounty.
Credits were also used to offer tribute to influential figures. After former bounty hunter Boba Fett became a new crime lord, dignitaries such as Garfalaquox and Garsa Fwip presented him with New Republic credits as a sign of respect.
Around 34 ABY, Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities, located at Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, sold individual, mint-condition Imperial credits to collectors.
Credits made their initial appearance in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and were later identified by name in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. The 1971 film THX 1138, written by Star Wars creator George Lucas and his friend Walter Murch at American Zoetrope, also features credits as the form of currency.