What Is the Slang for 100 Bills? Common Terms for a Hundred Dollars

Dec, 1 2025

If you’ve ever heard someone say they made a C-note or dropped a Benjamin, they weren’t talking about a letter or a photo. They were talking about $100. The slang for a 100-dollar bill is everywhere-from street corners to TV dramas-and it’s not just random words. These terms have history, culture, and sometimes even politics baked into them.

What’s a C-note?

The most common slang for a $100 bill is C-note. It’s short for "Century note," because 100 is a century. The "C" stands for the Roman numeral for 100. You’ll hear this in old gangster movies, police procedurals, and even in rap lyrics. It’s clean, simple, and still widely used today. If someone says, "I need to pick up a C-note," they’re not going to the library-they’re going to the ATM or the dealer.

Why is it called a Benjamin?

Another popular term is Benjamin. That’s because the face on the $100 bill is Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s founding fathers. He wasn’t a president, but he was a scientist, diplomat, and writer-so he got the honor of being on the highest-denomination bill still in regular circulation. People say, "I gave him five Benjamins," meaning $500. It’s casual, personal, and easy to remember.

Is a hundred called a buck?

Not exactly. "Buck" usually means $1. So if you say "a buck," you mean one dollar. But in some places, especially in casual speech, people stretch it: "I owe you ten bucks" could mean $10, and sometimes, in fast talk, someone might say "a hundred bucks" to mean $100. But that’s just using "buck" as a general term for dollars, not a specific nickname for the $100 bill itself. Don’t confuse it with "C-note" or "Benjamin."

What about a grand?

"Grand" means $1,000-not $100. So if someone says "I made five grand," they mean $5,000. That’s a common misunderstanding. A single $100 bill is one-tenth of a grand. You’ll hear "grand" in crime dramas, sports contracts, and salary talks. But if you’re looking for the term for a single $100 bill, skip "grand."

Other slang terms you might hear

There are regional and subcultural terms too. In some parts of the U.S., especially in older communities, you might hear:

• Stack - a bundle of $100 bills, usually 100 of them ($10,000 total)
• Big one - used in informal settings to mean "a hundred"
• Hundo - a modern, shortened version of "hundred," popular with younger people and online
• Yellow - because the bill has a slight yellowish tint compared to smaller denominations

Some of these are fading out. "Yellow" is mostly used by older folks who remember the older paper quality. "Hundo" is trending on TikTok and in texting, but it’s not yet in mainstream dictionaries.

Why does slang for money even exist?

Slang for cash isn’t just for fun-it’s practical. In places where cash still matters, like street markets, small businesses, or even some gigs, using slang helps avoid misunderstandings. Saying "I need a C-note" is faster than "I need a one-hundred-dollar bill." It’s also a way to sound like you’re in the know. In certain circles, using the right terms signals you understand how things work.

There’s also a bit of secrecy. In the past, criminals used slang to avoid being overheard by police or bank clerks. Even today, in informal deals, people use these terms to keep things low-key.

Does this slang work outside the U.S.?

Not really. Outside the United States, people don’t use "C-note" or "Benjamin." In Canada, they might say "a hundred" or "a sawbuck" (though sawbuck is old-school and rare). In the UK, a £100 note is just called a "hundred quid." Australia calls it a "C-note" too, but only because of American influence-Aussies usually just say "a hundred."

If you’re traveling or doing business internationally, don’t assume everyone knows American money slang. Stick to "one hundred dollars" unless you’re sure the person is familiar with U.S. terms.

How do you spot a real $100 bill?

If you’re dealing in cash, especially in large amounts, knowing the slang isn’t enough-you need to know the real thing. A genuine $100 bill has:

• A security thread that glows pink under UV light
• Watermarks of Benjamin Franklin visible when held to light
• Color-shifting ink on the bell in the inkwell (changes from copper to green)
• Microprinting around Franklin’s collar
• 3D security ribbon with moving bells and 100s

Counterfeit $100 bills are common. Scammers know people rely on slang and might not check the bill closely. Always glance at the security features before accepting a C-note.

What’s the future of money slang?

Cash use is dropping. In 2025, less than 15% of U.S. transactions are in cash, down from over 40% in 2010. Younger people pay with apps, cards, or crypto. That means slang like "C-note" and "Benjamin" might fade over time.

But slang is stubborn. Even as digital payments rise, these terms stick around in movies, music, and pop culture. You’ll still hear them in hip-hop lyrics, crime novels, and TV shows. They’re part of the language-not just the money.

So whether you’re counting out rent, splitting a bill, or just listening to a song, now you know: when someone says "Benjamin," they’re not talking about a person-they’re talking about $100.