How to Fold Money for a Money Clip

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Reviewed by Melissa Young

Last Updated: May 8, 2025 References

Money clips are a fashionable, minimalist way to store your cash and cards, but what’s the best way to organize and fold everything so it all fits? Folding money for a clip is a breeze, and you can customize what you include and how you arrange it to suit your needs. We’ve put together a nifty guide to folding money for a money clip so you can pay cash quickly and with flair. If you’re ready to hit the town without a bulky wallet, read on!

Things You Should Know

Stack your dollar bills with your biggest denominations on bottom and your singles on top. Fold the stack in half to slide it into the clip.
Include your ID, driver’s license, and main credit card. Slide your cards into the center of your folded money stack or clip them outside the stack.
Money clips are slimmer than wallets, so keep it in whichever pocket or bag you prefer (even front pants pockets or inside of a blazer).

1

Organize and stack your dollar bills.

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Make a stack of cash with the largest bills on bottom and singles on top. This organization makes it convenient to pull small bills out from the center of your clip for everyday purchases. Most clips fit about a dozen bills.
- Aim to carry a variety of denominations. Singles often come in handy, and having several big bills means you can carry more money with less space.
- If you’re concerned about security and don’t want your big bills showing, put a few singles on the bottom of your stack.

2

Grab your most important cards.

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Include your ID and/or driver’s license plus your main credit card. Most clips can fit up to 3 cards in addition to cash, so be picky when you decide which ones to carry for the day. Unlike a traditional wallet, you won’t be able to fit every card you have. Think through the itinerary for your day and select the cards you know you’ll need.
- Some money clips have extra pockets or elastic bands for cards. In these cases, fit as many cards as you can or want to.

3

Fold your cash stack in half.

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Insert your cards into the folded cash to keep them secure. Combined, the folded cash and cards fill the clip snugly so nothing falls out. If you don’t have enough cash to fill the clip, fold your bills in half a second time and place your cards on the outside of the stack.
- If you prefer, place your cards on top or on bottom of your folded cash instead of inside. They'll be equally as secure this way.

4

Slide your stack into the clip.

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Insert your money and cards folded-end first into the clip. Keeping the loose ends outside the clip makes it easier to see and pull out the bills you need quickly. Make sure the clip is secure and give the whole thing a shake to see if your stack will stay put.
- Your money should fit snugly into the clip without stretching it too far open.
- If your stack doesn’t fit, remove unnecessary bills or cards until you can slide it in.

5

Slip your clip into your preferred pocket.

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Keep your clip in a front or back pant pocket or inside of a blazer. Money clips are slimmer than wallets, so they’re more comfortable to sit on if you prefer a back pocket. Choose a front pocket if you’re concerned about pickpocketing—front pockets are deeper, and the clip’s thin size makes it less bulky or awkward to put in front.^{[1]
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- Ultimately, the pocket you choose is entirely up to your preference.
- Some clips are designed to attach to the outside of your pockets or backpack straps for quick access.

6

Pull cash from the center.

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Slide the individual bills or cards you need out of the clip. Since the stack was organized by denomination, your large bills will be towards the outsides and your small bills will be in the center. Thumb through the corners or edges of the bills and pull out what you need.
- Pinch the clip lightly to keep the stack in place while you slide out a bill so that your entire stack doesn’t spill out on accident.
- Practice using your money clip to get the feel for pulling cash quickly and easily.
- Alternatively, pull the entire stack out of the clip and remove the bills or cards you need, then reinsert the stack into the clip when you’re done.

7

Double-fold money for wallets with exterior clips.

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Some products, like Ridge wallets, have money clips on the outside. For these money clip wallets, organize your cash like you would for a normal clip (largest bills on bottom, singles on top) and fold them in half twice so they don’t extend past the dimensions of the wallet.^{[2]
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- These clips usually only hold a few bills, but the wallet portion has room for multiple cards.

8

Tighten your clip if necessary.

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If your metal clip has become too loose, tighten it with hammer strokes. Place the bent end of the clip on a scrap piece of leather on top of a steel block meant for jewelry work (or something similar). Squeeze the other end of the clip together so the metal is touching, then lightly tap the bend with the butt of the hammer handle.^{[3]
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- Tap the bend in the center rather than near the edges.
- Check the grip of the clip after every few taps until it’s tight enough for your usual money stacks.

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Question

How much cash and what denominations should you carry?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Most clips will fit at least a dozen folded bills (clips attached to the outside of wallets might hold fewer). Aim to carry a mix of denominations including several singles for everyday small purchases. If you carry larger denominations, you can carry more money with fewer bills.

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Tips

If you’re not comfortable adjusting the tightness of your metal money clip yourself, take it to a metalsmith or silversmith for adjustments.^{[4]
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Money clips, especially metal ones, will last for years if not indefinitely when they’re kept in good condition.^{[5]
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Fold money for magnetic money clips the same way you would for a standard metal one.

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Warnings

Placing large bills on the outside of the clip might draw the attention of potential pickpockets. If you’re concerned, put a few singles on the outside so it looks less conspicuous.

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Magnetic money clips might scramble the strip on your credit cards after prolonged exposure, so aim to use them for cash only.^{[6]
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