Make a $20 Bill into an Origami World Trade Center

Learn how to fold a $20 bill to create an image of the World Trade Center

Co-authored by Claire Donovan-Blackwood and Dev Murphy, MA

Last Updated: January 28, 2023 Fact Checked

Some people believe that a conspiracy surrounds the newest version of the $20 bill. The bill, redesigned in 1998, is suspected by some to have foretold the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. While the conspiracy should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s true that with a simple geometric fold, you can transform the American $20 bill into an image that resembles the tragedy of the attack on the Twin Towers. Read on to learn how to reveal the towers.

Things You Should Know

Fold the bill in half lengthwise with the front of the bill facing into the fold.
Fold the left-hand side backwards and up behind the bill, so that it sticks straight up behind the bill.
Fold the right side of the bill the same way you folded the left side, then flip the bill over to reveal the Twin Towers.

1

Fold a $20 bill in half, lengthwise.

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The front of the bill should face into the fold. Arrange the bill so that you’re looking at the top half of the backside—you’ll see the words "The United States of America" flanked by two "20"s; beneath this, you'll find the words "In God We Trust" and the top of the White House.^{[1]
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2

Fold the left side so it sticks straight up.

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Fold the left side behind the bill so that the edge slopes up at a 45-degree angle from the center of the White House. The back bottom-left-hand corner of the bill will rise perpendicular to the top of the bill; make sure that there is a large "20" in the corner.^{[2]
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3

Fold the right side of the bill same as the left.

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If done correctly, the folded bill will be pentagonal, with a downward point. You’ll see a crisp triangle with 2 rectangles rising behind it. If you look closely above the triangle, you may be able to make out the Pentagon building.

4

Turn the bill over to the smooth side.

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With the pointed end facing down, look for the Twin Towers rising from the point and burning on either side of the crease. The eaves of the White House have become the towers, and the trees that flank the White House have become the smoke from the ruined buildings.^{[3]
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- Though the $20 bill is the bill most commonly used to create origami renderings of the attack on the Twin Towers, you can create the same effect using other bills, including the $5 and the $50 bills.^{[4]
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5

Take the conspiracy theory with a grain of salt.

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Some people think the 1998 $20 bill foretold the attack on the World Trade Center. The current $20 bill was the product of a redesign implemented by the U.S. Treasury in 1998—3 years before the September 11 attacks. There’s no evidence to suggest any of this is true.^{[5]
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- If you’re interested in the conspiracy, do your research and try to understand why people believe this—but take everything you read with a healthy dose of skepticism.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Is this $1 compatible? I'm poor.

Community Answer

No, the $1 bill does not have the same design and will not give you the same image. You can still do the folding pattern if you want, but you may not end up with anything interesting.

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Question

Can I make it with a 1 dollar bill?

Community Answer

No, it's not the same picture on the bill.

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Question

Can I do this with a five dollar bill?

Community Answer

Yes, you can also get a picture of Twin Towers with a five dollar bill, but the instructions would be different. You should be able to find guides online that will show you how to fold a five dollar bill into an image of the Twin Towers.

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