How to Fold Dollar Bills into Shapes: Easy Origami

What You’ll Need

A crisp, new dollar bill (creases from old bills make folding harder)
A flat, clean surface (a table or hardcover book works)
Optional: a ruler or credit card to sharpen creases
Optional: tweezers for precise folds on small details

Step-by-Step

Start with the bill face up. Place the dollar bill on your flat surface with George Washington’s face pointing up and the words “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top. Smooth out any existing wrinkles with your hands.
Fold in half lengthwise. Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge, crease firmly with your thumbnail or a ruler, then unfold. This center crease will be your guide for symmetrical folds.
Fold the left and right edges to the center. Take the left edge and fold it to the vertical center crease you just made. Repeat with the right edge. You now have a narrow rectangle with two flaps.
Flip the bill over. Turn the folded bill so the smooth side faces up. The two flaps you folded should now be underneath, and you should see a clean rectangle with the center crease visible.
Fold the bottom corners up to the center. Take the bottom-left corner and fold it diagonally so it meets the center crease, forming a triangle. Do the same with the bottom-right corner. The bottom edge should now look like an arrow pointing up.
Fold the top corners down to the center. Now take the top-left corner and fold it diagonally down to the center crease, forming a triangle at the top. Repeat with the top-right corner. You now have a diamond shape with a horizontal gap in the middle.
Fold the bottom point up to the top point. Take the bottom tip of the diamond and fold it upward, bringing it to meet the top tip. Crease well. This creates the basic shape of a heart.
Shape the top curves. With the heart still folded, you’ll see two small flaps at the top. Fold each flap down and slightly outward to round the top of the heart. Flip the bill over — you should now see a neat heart shape. Use a ruler to sharpen all creases for a crisp finish.

Note: This basic heart is the foundation for many other dollar origami shapes. Once you master it, you can adapt the same folds to make rings, shirts, or butterflies by adjusting the final steps.

Common Mistakes

Using a wrinkled bill: Old, crumpled bills are hard to fold precisely and the final shape looks messy. Use a fresh bill or press it under a heavy book overnight.
Skipping the center crease: Without the center guide, your folds become lopsided and the shape won’t be symmetrical.
Not creasing firmly: Soft creases cause the bill to unfold itself. Always press down with a thumbnail or a ruler along each fold.
Folding too quickly: Rushing leads to misaligned edges. Take your time to line up corners exactly before creasing.

Tips

Use a new bill straight from the bank — they are stiffer and hold creases better.
If the bill keeps springing open, place a heavy book on top of it for a few minutes after folding.
For a ring, start with the same steps but use a half-dollar bill (or fold a dollar in half first) and adjust the final size.
Practice on a piece of paper first to learn the folds without worrying about wasting money.
Use a toothpick to push out the corners of the heart for a more defined shape.

Troubleshooting

My heart is lopsided. Unfold completely and re-fold, making sure each corner meets the center crease exactly. Use a ruler to check alignment before creasing.

The bill won’t stay folded. Your creases are too soft. Go over each fold again with a ruler or the edge of a credit card, pressing firmly. If the bill is old and limp, try a fresh one.

The shape looks more like a diamond than a heart. You likely skipped the final step of folding the top flaps down. Go back and fold each top corner down and outward to round the top.

The bill tears at the corners. You are folding too aggressively. Use gentle pressure and avoid creasing the same spot repeatedly. If a tear starts, stop and use a new bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any denomination?

Yes, but the proportions change. A $1 bill is the most common and easiest to work with. Larger bills like $20s are thicker and harder to fold, while $2 bills are slightly larger but still workable.

Is it legal to fold money?

Yes, folding money is completely legal. The U.S. Treasury does not prohibit altering currency as long as it remains recognizable and is not defaced in a way that makes it unusable.

How do I make a dollar ring?

Start with the same basic folds as the heart, but after step 6, wrap the bill around your finger to gauge the size, then tuck the ends into the folds to form a band. There are many tutorials online for specific ring designs.

Can I unfold the bill and still use it?

Yes, you can unfold the bill and it will still be legal tender. It may have creases, but you can flatten it under a heavy book or use it as is.

What is the easiest shape for a beginner?

The heart is the easiest and most popular. It uses only a few folds and looks impressive with minimal effort. Once you master it, try a shirt or a butterfly.

Do I need special origami paper?

No, that’s the beauty of dollar origami — you only need the bill itself. However, if you’re practicing, regular paper cut to the same size (about 6.14 x 2.61 inches) works well.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.