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   Home > Current FAQs > Currency and Coin
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Current FAQs

   Informing the public about the Federal Reserve

How long is the life span of U.S. paper money?

   When currency is deposited with a Federal Reserve Bank, the quality of
   each note is evaluated by sophisticated processing equipment. Notes
   that meet our strict quality criteria--that is, they are still in good
   condition--continue to circulate, while those that do not are taken out
   of circulation and destroyed. This process determines the life span of
   a Federal Reserve note.

   Life span varies by denomination. One factor that influences the life
   span of each denomination is how the denomination is used by the
   public. For example, $100 notes are often used as a store of value.
   This means that they pass between users less frequently than lower
   denominations that are more often used for transactions, such as $5
   notes. Thus, $100 notes typically last longer than $5 notes.
   Denomination Estimated Life Span*
   $1           5.9 years
   $5           4.9 years
   $10          4.2 years
   $20          7.7 years
   $50          3.7 years
   $100         15.0 years

   * Estimated life spans as of December 2012. Because the $2 note does
   not widely circulate, we do not publish its estimated life span.


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