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| The average dollar bill doesn’t last forever: Some wear down from repeated use, while others meet their untimely demise after being ruined by water or pets. In fact, the average $1 bill has an estimated lifespan of 7.2 years, according to the Federal Reserve. This number drops even lower for $5 and $10 bills, which tend to last just 5.8 and 5.7 years, respectively. In the United States, paper currency is made using a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, creating a material that’s more durable than paper produced using wood pulp. But bills still degrade over time; it’s estimated that U.S. banknotes can withstand only 4,000 double folds (forward and backward) before they tear and need to be replaced. It’s worth noting significantly larger denominations that pass between hands less frequently, such as $50 and $100 bills, have longer lifespans. Those bigger bills are more commonly tucked away as savings and therefore suffer less wear and tear. The Federal Reserve estimates the average lifespan of a $20 bill at 11.1 years, a $50 bill at 14.9 years, and a $100 bill at 24 years. |