How to Spot Counterfeit $20 Dollar Bills: A Step-by-Step Guide

What You'll Need

Ultraviolet (UV) Light: To check if the security thread glows green under UV illumination.
Good Lighting: To inspect the note's security features, such as the watermark and colour-shifting ink.
Magnifying Glass: To examine the microprinted text and other fine details on the note.
A Genuine $20 Bill: For comparison with the note you are checking to spot any differences.
Patience and Attention to Detail: To carefully inspect the note and verify its authenticity.

Step-by-Step: How to Verify a $20 Bill

Step 1: Locate and Examine the Security Thread

Hold the note up to a light source and look for a vertical thread embedded to the left of President Jackson's portrait¹. The thread should display the text USA TWENTY and a small flag in an alternating pattern¹. If you have access to ultraviolet light, shine it on the thread—it should glow green². A missing thread, one that sits on the surface rather than embedded within the paper, or incorrect text indicates a counterfeit.

Step 2: Check the Watermark

Hold the bill up to light and look for a faint image of President Andrew Jackson to the right of the main portrait². The watermark should be visible from both the front and back of the note². Genuine watermarks are part of the paper itself and cannot be felt as a separate layer. If the watermark is missing, printed on the surface, or shows a different image, the note is likely fake.

Step 3: Test the Colour-Shifting Ink

Tilt the note back and forth whilst focusing on the numeral 20 in the lower right corner of the front¹. The colour should shift from copper to green as you change the viewing angle¹. This effect is produced by special ink that counterfeiters find difficult to replicate. If the numeral remains a single colour or the shift is unclear, treat the bill as suspicious.

Step 4: Feel the Paper and Look for Security Fibres

Run your fingers across the note's surface—genuine Federal Reserve notes have a distinctive texture created by raised printing¹. The paper itself is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, giving it a crisp feel different from ordinary paper¹. Look closely at the paper for tiny red and blue fibres embedded throughout¹. Counterfeit notes often feel smoother or are printed on standard paper without these fibres.

Step 5: Find and Verify the Microprinting

Use a magnifying glass to examine the blue TWENTY USA ribbon to the right of the portrait¹. Along the border of the first three letters, you should see 'USA20' in microprint¹. Also check the border below the Treasurer's signature for 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20'¹. Genuine microprinting appears sharp and clear under magnification, whilst counterfeit versions typically look blurred or consist of dots.

Step 6: Confirm All Features Match

A genuine $20 note will pass all the checks above: embedded security thread with correct text and green UV glow, visible watermark from both sides, colour-shifting numeral, textured paper with security fibres, and sharp microprinting³ ¹ ² ¹ ² ¹. If even one feature is missing or incorrect, do not accept the bill. Compare the serial number (an eleven-character combination of numbers and letters)¹ with another genuine note to ensure the format matches, and report suspected counterfeits to local authorities or the U.S. Secret Service.

Security Features of Genuine $20 Bills You Need to Know

Why do some counterfeits pass casual inspection whilst others are spotted immediately? The answer lies in understanding which security features matter most and where counterfeiters typically fail. Genuine $20 notes issued after 2003 incorporate multiple layers of protection, each designed to be difficult or expensive to replicate³.

The security thread is embedded vertically within the paper to the left of President Jackson's portrait, not printed on the surface¹. It carries the text USA TWENTY and a small flag in an alternating pattern¹, and glows green under ultraviolet light². Counterfeiters often print a fake thread on top of the paper or omit it entirely, since embedding requires specialised equipment. The watermark of President Jackson appears to the right of the main portrait and is visible from both sides when held to light²—it is part of the paper structure, not an overlay.

Colour-shifting ink on the numeral 20 in the lower right corner changes from copper to green when tilted¹. This optical effect relies on pigments that are tightly controlled and rarely duplicated convincingly. The paper itself is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton, containing red and blue security fibres throughout¹, which gives it a distinct texture compared to standard copy paper. Raised printing on genuine notes creates a tactile surface that you can feel by running your fingers across the portrait and text¹.

Microprinting appears in two key locations: 'USA20' along the border of the first three letters of the blue TWENTY USA ribbon, and 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20' in the border below the Treasurer's signature¹. Under magnification, genuine microprint is sharp and continuous; counterfeit versions often blur into illegible dots. The note also features background colours of green and peach, with the words TWENTY USA printed in blue to the right of the portrait¹, and a unique serial number consisting of eleven characters¹.

For a broader overview of counterfeit detection across denominations, see Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.

Step-by-Step: How to Check the Security Thread

The security thread is one of the most reliable features for spotting counterfeit $20 bills, yet it requires careful inspection to verify properly. The thread is embedded vertically within the paper to the left of President Jackson's portrait¹, meaning it runs through the paper structure rather than sitting on the surface. When you hold the note up to light, you should see the imprinted text USA TWENTY and a small flag in an alternating pattern along the thread¹. This combination of text and flag is specific to the $20 denomination and distinguishes it from other notes.

Why does the thread matter so much? Embedding a thread inside paper requires specialised manufacturing equipment that most counterfeiters cannot access. Many fake notes either lack a thread entirely or feature a printed line that sits on the surface and can be scratched off. If you run your fingernail gently along the thread area and it feels raised or comes away, the note is counterfeit. Genuine threads are woven into the paper during production and cannot be separated.

The ultraviolet test provides a second layer of verification. Under UV light, the security thread on a genuine $20 bill glows green². This fluorescence is produced by phosphorescent compounds embedded in the thread material. Counterfeiters occasionally print a fake thread, but replicating the UV response is difficult and expensive. If the thread does not glow green under UV illumination, or glows a different colour, the bill is not genuine.

Before you begin, ensure you have a UV light source and good ambient lighting. Hold the note at eye level against a bright background, such as a window or lamp, to see the thread clearly. The text and flag should be legible without magnification, though a magnifying glass can help confirm fine details. If the thread is missing, printed rather than embedded, shows incorrect text, or fails the UV test, do not accept the bill and report it to local authorities. For additional context on counterfeit detection across denominations, see Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.

How to Verify the Watermark

The watermark is one of the most effective ways to authenticate a $20 bill, yet it requires the right lighting and a clear understanding of what to look for. When you hold the note up to light, a faint image of President Andrew Jackson should appear to the right of the main portrait². This watermark is visible from both the front and back of the note², because it is embedded within the paper structure during manufacturing rather than printed on the surface. Counterfeiters often print a fake watermark on one side only, or omit it altogether, since creating a true embedded watermark demands specialised paper production techniques.

Why does the watermark work as a security feature? Genuine Federal Reserve note paper is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton¹, and the watermark is formed by varying the paper density during production. This means the image is part of the paper itself, not an overlay or ink layer. If you can feel a raised texture where the watermark appears, or if the image is visible only from one side, the note is counterfeit. A genuine watermark will have the same faint, translucent quality when viewed from either the front or back.

To verify the watermark properly, hold the bill up to a bright light source—a window, lamp, or even a phone screen set to maximum brightness. Position the note so light passes through it at eye level. The watermark should appear as a greyscale image of President Jackson's face, matching the main portrait in design but lighter in tone. If the watermark is missing, shows a different president, or looks like a printed photograph rather than a translucent impression, do not accept the bill. Compare the watermark with a known genuine note if you have one available, and report suspected counterfeits to local authorities or the U.S. Secret Service.

For a broader overview of counterfeit detection methods, see Counterfeit 20 Dollar Bills: What You Need to Know.

How to Test the Color-Shifting Ink

The color-shifting ink on the numeral 20 provides one of the most immediate visual checks for authenticity, yet it works only under the right conditions and viewing angle. The numeral 20 in the lower right corner of the front of the note shifts from copper to green when you tilt the bill back and forth¹. This optical effect is produced by special pigments that reflect different wavelengths of light depending on the angle, a technology that counterfeiters find difficult and expensive to replicate. If the numeral remains a single flat color—whether copper, green, or black—or if the shift is faint or unclear, the bill is likely counterfeit.

Why does lighting matter? The color shift is most visible under bright, direct light such as daylight or a strong lamp. In dim or diffused lighting, even a genuine note may show a less pronounced shift, which can lead to false suspicion. Hold the note at arm's length and tilt it slowly from side to side, keeping your eyes focused on the numeral 20. The transition from copper to green should be smooth and unmistakable as the angle changes. If you see no shift at all, or if the numeral appears to be printed in ordinary ink that does not change, the note fails this test.

Counterfeiters occasionally print a numeral in a single color or use cheap metallic ink that produces a weak shimmer rather than a true color shift. Some high-quality fakes may show a partial shift, but the transition will be less vivid or inconsistent compared to a genuine note. If you are uncertain, compare the suspect bill side by side with a known genuine $20 note under the same lighting conditions. The difference in color intensity and clarity should be apparent. For additional context on counterfeit detection methods, see Counterfeit 20 Dollar Bills: What You Need to Know.

How to Feel and Examine the Paper

Can you trust your sense of touch to spot a counterfeit $20 bill? Genuine Federal Reserve notes have a distinctive texture that sets them apart from ordinary paper, and understanding this tactile difference is one of the simplest yet most effective verification methods. The paper used for authentic $20 bills is one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton¹, a composition that gives it a unique feel compared to standard copy or printer paper. Raised printing on genuine notes creates a textured surface that you can detect by running your fingers lightly across the portrait, numerals, and text¹. This tactile quality is difficult for counterfeiters to replicate, since it requires intaglio printing presses that apply ink under high pressure.

When you handle a suspect note, feel the areas around President Jackson's portrait and the Federal Reserve seal. Genuine bills will have a slightly rough, ridged texture where the ink sits above the paper surface¹. If the note feels completely smooth or waxy, or if the printing appears flat and glossy like a photocopy, it is likely counterfeit. Counterfeiters often use standard inkjet or laser printers, which deposit ink on top of the paper rather than embedding it, producing a slick finish that lacks the raised quality of genuine currency.

Look closely at the paper itself under good lighting. Embedded throughout the note are tiny red and blue security fibres¹—these are not printed on the surface but woven into the paper during manufacturing. The fibres appear as short, thin threads scattered randomly across the bill. Counterfeiters sometimes print red and blue lines to mimic this feature, but printed lines will sit on the surface and can be scratched off, whilst genuine fibres are part of the paper structure and cannot be removed. If you see fibres that look painted or if they smudge when rubbed, the note is not genuine.

Before accepting a $20 bill, combine the tactile test with the visual checks described in earlier sections. A genuine note will pass all verification methods: raised printing texture, embedded security fibres, and the correct linen-cotton composition¹. If the paper feels wrong or the fibres appear printed rather than embedded, do not accept the bill and report it to local authorities. For additional context on counterfeit detection methods, see Counterfeit 20 Dollar Bills: What You Need to Know.

How to Find and Check Microprinting

Microprinting serves as a critical anti-counterfeiting measure on $20 bills, yet many people overlook it because the text is so small that it requires close inspection or magnification to read clearly. The $20 note includes microprinted text in two specific locations: 'USA20' along the border of the first three letters of the blue TWENTY USA ribbon to the right of the portrait, and 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20' in the border below the Treasurer's signature¹. These tiny letters are printed using high-resolution intaglio techniques that produce sharp, legible characters even at miniature scale. Counterfeiters typically cannot replicate this level of detail, so microprinting on fake notes often appears as a blurred line, a series of dots, or is missing entirely.

Why does microprinting work as a security feature? Standard photocopiers, inkjet printers, and laser printers lack the resolution to reproduce text at this scale with clarity. When counterfeiters attempt to copy a genuine note, the microprinted text either disappears or breaks down into illegible smudges. To verify microprinting, hold the note under bright light and use a magnifying glass or the zoom function on a smartphone camera to examine the specified areas. The text 'USA20' should be crisp and readable along the ribbon border, and the longer phrase below the Treasurer's signature should remain distinct without breaking into dots or lines¹.

If the microprinting appears fuzzy, incomplete, or consists of a solid line rather than individual letters, the bill is counterfeit. Some high-quality fakes may include partial microprinting, but close inspection will reveal inconsistencies in letter spacing, alignment, or clarity. Compare the suspect note with a known genuine $20 bill if possible, focusing on the sharpness and uniformity of the microprinted text. For a broader overview of counterfeit detection methods, see Counterfeit 20 Dollar Bills: What You Need to Know.

What to Do If Verification Fails

When verifying a $20 bill, several issues can arise that may indicate a counterfeit note. Here are some common problems and how to address them.

The Security Thread Is Missing or Incorrect

If the security thread is missing, printed rather than embedded, or shows incorrect text, the bill is likely counterfeit. To verify, hold the note up to a bright light and check that the thread is visible and contains the text "USA TWENTY" and a small flag. If the thread fails this test, do not accept the bill and report it to local authorities.

The Watermark Appears Only on One Side

A genuine watermark is visible from both the front and back of the note. If the watermark appears only on one side or looks like a printed photograph, the bill is counterfeit. To verify, hold the note up to a bright light source and check that the watermark is visible from both sides.

The Color-Shifting Ink Does Not Change Color

If the numeral 20 in the lower right corner of the front of the note does not shift from copper to green when tilted, the bill is likely counterfeit. To verify, hold the note at arm's length and tilt it slowly from side to side, keeping your eyes focused on the numeral 20.

The Paper Feels Smooth or Waxy

Genuine Federal Reserve notes have a distinctive texture due to the raised printing and the composition of the paper (one-fourth linen and three-fourths cotton). If the note feels completely smooth or waxy, it is likely counterfeit. To verify, run your fingers lightly across the portrait, numerals, and text to detect the raised printing.

The Microprinting Is Fuzzy or Incomplete

If the microprinted text appears fuzzy, incomplete, or consists of a solid line rather than individual letters, the bill is counterfeit. To verify, hold the note under bright light and use a magnifying glass or the zoom function on a smartphone camera to examine the specified areas.

Key Takeaways

To effectively spot counterfeit $20 dollar bills, remember to:

Check the security thread for the text "USA TWENTY" and a small flag that glows green under ultraviolet light.
Verify the watermark of President Jackson is visible from both sides of the note when held to light.
Tilt the bill to check for color-shifting ink on the numeral 20, which should change from copper to green.
Feel the paper for raised printing and embedded red and blue security fibres.
Examine the microprinted text for clarity and legibility.

To further enhance your understanding of counterfeit detection, consider reviewing additional resources such as Counterfeit 20 Dollar Bills: What You Need to Know.