Honestly, if you haven't looked closely at the cash in your wallet lately, you might be missing out on a tiny masterpiece of engineering. People still call it the "new" $100 bill, even though this specific design—the one with the massive, borderless Benjamin Franklin—has been the standard since 2013. But with all the talk about 2026 redesigns for other denominations, everyone is asking the same thing: what does the new $100 bill look like and is there another one coming?
The short answer is that the current $100 bill is a high-tech marvel. It’s blue. It’s gold. It has a "magic" ribbon that moves when you tilt it.
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The Face of the Bill: Benji Gets a Makeover
Gone is the small, oval-framed portrait of Benjamin Franklin from the nineties. In this current version, Ben is huge. He's shifted slightly to the left, and there is no restrictive border around his shoulders.
It feels more personal, somehow.
To the right of the portrait, you’ll see symbols of American liberty. There’s a copper-colored inkwell with a hidden secret. Inside that inkwell is a Liberty Bell. When you tilt the bill, that bell changes from copper to green. This "disappearing" act is one of the hardest things for counterfeiters to replicate because it requires specialized color-shifting ink.
Next to the inkwell, there is a golden quill. It’s a nod to the Declaration of Independence, phrases of which are actually printed in tiny script in the background.
That Famous Blue Ribbon
If you want to know what does the new $100 bill look like in a way that separates it from every other piece of paper in your pocket, look at the blue strip.
This is the 3-D Security Ribbon.
It isn't printed on the paper. It’s woven into it. If you look closely, you’ll see images of bells and the number "100."
When you tilt the bill back and forth, the bells change to 100s. If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down. If you tilt it up and down, they move side to side. It’s weirdly hypnotic. Scientists spent years perfecting those micro-lenses to make sure they wouldn't just be "cool," but nearly impossible to fake with a standard printer.
Turning It Over: Independence Hall
Flip the bill over. You’re looking at Independence Hall, but not the side you’re used to. This is the rear view of the building.
The most striking thing on the back is the giant, gold "100" in the bottom right corner. It’s not just for show; the large size helps people with visual impairments distinguish the bill from a $1 or a $10.
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Hidden Features You Can't See at a Glance
Most people just check the portrait and move on. But if you really want to verify what a genuine $100 bill looks like, you have to look for the invisible stuff.
- The Watermark: Hold it up to a light. A faint image of Ben Franklin should appear in the blank space to the right of the main portrait. It’s visible from both sides.
- The Security Thread: Look to the left of the portrait while holding it to the light. There’s a vertical thread embedded in the paper. It says "USA" and "100" in an alternating pattern. Under a UV light, this thread glows bright pink.
- Raised Printing: Run your fingernail along Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. You should feel a distinct texture. That’s the result of intaglio printing, where the ink is literally pulled onto the paper under massive pressure.
Is There a Series 2026 $100 Bill?
Here is where it gets interesting. While 2026 is a big year for the U.S. Treasury, the $100 bill isn't the one getting the immediate facelift.
According to the Federal Reserve’s current redesign timeline, the $10 bill is actually first in line for a 2026 update. The $50 comes in 2028, and the $20 (the one everyone is watching for the Harriet Tubman design) is slated for 2030.
The $100 bill? It isn't scheduled for a major redesign until 2034.
So, if you see someone claiming they have a "brand new 2026 design" $100 bill with a different portrait, be careful. It’s either a foreign banknote (like the Trinidad and Tobago $100 which is changing in 2026) or a counterfeit.
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How to Spot a Fake Quickly
You don't need a lab. Just remember: Feel, Tilt, Check.
Feel the paper; it’s 25% linen and 75% cotton, with tiny red and blue security fibers. Tilt the bill to see the blue ribbon and the bell in the inkwell move. Check the watermark and the security thread by holding it up to any light source.
Basically, if the blue ribbon doesn't move or the bell doesn't change color, you’re holding a piece of paper, not a Benjamin.
Real-World Action Steps
- Check your stash: Look at any $100 bills you have. If they don't have the blue ribbon, they are likely the older Series 1996 or 2006 designs. They are still legal tender, but they lack the modern security features.
- Use a UV light: If you handle cash for business, buy a cheap UV torch. A genuine $100 thread glows pink. Period.
- Watch the 2026 news: Keep an eye out for the new $10 bill announcement later this year. It will set the stage for how our money will look for the next decade.
The current $100 bill is staying exactly as it is for a while longer. It’s blue, it’s bold, and Ben Franklin isn't going anywhere yet.