A US dollar bill is 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches wide. In metric, that is 15.6 cm by 6.63 cm, or about 156 mm by 66.3 mm.

Every bill is also 0.0043 inches (0.11 mm) thick. This size has stayed the same for nearly a century. Here are the exact Dimensions of a US Dollar bill, simple conversions and facts you can trust.

US Dollar Bill Size in Inches, CM, and MM

Here is the size of a dollar bill in three units.

Measure	Inches	CM	MM
Length	6.14	15.6	156
Width	2.61	6.63	66.3
Thickness	0.0043	0.011	0.11

The length is the long side. The width is the short side. Some people call the short side the height. It is the same 2.61 inches.

The length-to-width ratio is about 7 to 3. The surface area is about 16.03 square inches (103.4 square cm). A bill weighs about 1 gram, so roughly 454 bills make one pound.

A bill is a flat rectangle, so it has no diameter. That word is for round objects like coins. A quarter, for example, is 0.955 inches across.

Stacks add up slowly. 100 bills reach about 0.43 inches. 1,000 bills reach about 4.3 inches.

A standard credit card is 3.37 inches long. A dollar bill is about 1.8 times longer than a card. That is why bills fold neatly into most wallets.

Just as a dollar bill’s exact measurements help you understand everyday objects, knowing the right dimensions of fitness equipment can improve comfort and usability. If you’re choosing a mat for your workout routine, explore our guide to yoga mat dimensions and thickness to find the right size for your height and practice style.

Dimensions of a US Dollar by Denomination and History

All US paper money uses one size. A $1 bill and a $100 bill match exactly.

Denomination	Portrait	Size (inches)
$1 bill	George Washington	6.14 × 2.61
$2 bill	Thomas Jefferson	6.14 × 2.61
$5 bill	Abraham Lincoln	6.14 × 2.61
$10 bill	Alexander Hamilton	6.14 × 2.61
$20 bill	Andrew Jackson	6.14 × 2.61
$50 bill	Ulysses S. Grant	6.14 × 2.61
$100 bill	Benjamin Franklin	6.14 × 2.61

So how do you tell notes apart? Look at the portrait, the number and the design. Newer notes also use color and security features. The size never changes.

A fixed size also helps ATMs, vending machines and cash counters handle every note the same way.

It was not always this way. Before 1929, notes measured 7.375 × 3.125 inches. People called them “horse blankets”. In 1929, the government made them about 30 percent smaller to lower printing costs. It also set one design for each denomination.

The size has not changed since. Only the designs and anti-counterfeiting features have been updated.

The Federal Reserve stopped issuing bills above $100 in 1969. That ended the $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 notes.

Why US Dollar Bill Dimensions Matter

Knowing the exact size of a dollar bill is handy in daily life.

Use a bill as a quick ruler. At 6.14 inches, it is close to half a foot. Fold it in half and you get about 3.07 inches. It works well for small items when you have no tape measure.

Make money origami. The 7:3 ratio is the key. Many folders cut paper to this shape to practice before they use a real bill.

Spot real cash. Size alone is not proof, because fakes can be cut to size. Real notes use paper that is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton with red and blue security fibers. They also have raised printing you can feel with your finger.

Know how long cash lasts. The Federal Reserve estimates a $1 bill lasts about 7.2 years. A $100 bill lasts about 24 years. Estimates are as of May 2025.

Copy with care. Federal rules limit how you can reproduce currency images. Check the Currency Image Use page before you print play money.

FAQs About US Dollar Bill Dimensions

Why is the $100,000 bill illegal to own?

The $100,000 bill was a 1934 gold certificate. It was made only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and the Treasury. It never reached the public. The Smithsonian notes that private people cannot own one.

What is the dimension of a $100 bill?

A $100 bill is 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches wide. That is 15.6 cm by 6.63 cm. It matches every other US bill.

Is a dollar bill 6 inches long?

Almost. A dollar bill is 6.14 inches long. That is about 0.14 inches more than 6 inches, or 156 mm.

How thick is a bill?

Every US bill is about 0.0043 inches (0.11 mm) thick. That is close to the thickness of a sheet of paper.

How thick is a US $1 bill?

A $1 bill is 0.0043 inches (0.11 mm) thick. It weighs about 1 gram.

How thick is a $50 bill?

A $50 bill is also 0.0043 inches (0.11 mm) thick. All denominations share the same thickness, length and width.

Conclusion

The dollar bill size is simple: 6.14 × 2.61 inches, 15.6 × 6.63 cm and 156 × 66.3 mm. Each bill is 0.0043 inches thick.Every denomination shares these dimensions. Next time you hold a bill, measure it and see.