How to Draw a Dollar Bill: Easy 10-Step Guide

Ready to practice your precision drawing? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 7+ who want to master geometric shapes and portrait sketching. You will need a pencil, an eraser, and a fine-liner pen to bring your dollar bill to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A finished, colored illustration of a 100 dollar bill, showcasing the portrait and decorative details.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Outer Frame

A simple rectangular outline drawn in pencil on a white background representing the border of a dollar bill.

Draw a large, clean rectangle to serve as the main body of the bill. Teacher's Tip: Use a ruler if you want perfectly straight edges, or practice your freehand control by drawing it in one smooth motion.

Step 2: Adding Inner Borders

Two nested rectangles drawn inside the main border to create the decorative frame of the currency.

Draw two smaller rectangles inside your first one, creating a layered frame effect. Tip: Keep the spacing between the lines consistent to make your bill look professional.

Step 3: Placing the Denomination

The number 100 written in block style in five strategic locations on the dollar bill template.

Carefully sketch the number '100' in five different spots: two at the top corners, one at the bottom, and two inside the center frame. Tip: Use block letters to make them stand out clearly.

Step 4: Drawing Decorative Brackets

Curved parallel lines resembling parentheses added to the inner section of the bill design.

Add two sets of curved parallel lines inside the inner rectangle that look like parentheses. Tip: These small details add texture and make the drawing look more like real paper money.

Step 5: Sketching the Portrait Outline

A simple outline of a human head and neck representing the portrait on the bill.

Start the portrait of Benjamin Franklin by drawing a curved shape for his face and chin. Tip: Keep your lines soft and rounded to capture his likeness accurately.

Step 6: Adding Hair and Collar

The portrait now includes hair and a collar, adding character to the figure.

Add wavy lines to represent his hair and a simple shape for the collar of his coat. Tip: Short, quick pencil strokes work best for hair texture.

Step 7: Defining Facial Features

Detailed facial features including eyes, nose, and mouth added to the portrait.

Draw the eyes, nose, and mouth using small, precise curved lines. Tip: Don't press too hard; these features are small and should look delicate.

Step 8: Adding Final Embellishments

Decorative seals and small rectangular patterns added to the bill for realism.

Draw three small, nested circles to the left of the portrait and add rectangular details in the top corner. Tip: These represent the official seals found on currency.

Step 9: Adding Text

The text 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' is written clearly on the bill.

Carefully print 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' above the '100' on the right side. Tip: Use a fine-liner pen for this step to keep the letters neat and legible.

Step 10: Bringing it to Life with Color

The finished dollar bill drawing, colored in shades of green.

Use light and dark green pencils to shade your bill. Tip: Use light pressure for the background and slightly more pressure for the borders to create depth.