LensFree AI Banknote Identifier & Currency Scanner
Got a banknote you can't identify? Upload a photo. The AI returns the country, denomination, and authenticity clues, all free.
Drop a banknote photo here or tap to upload
JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC • Max 50MB • 1 free scan
Analyzing your banknote with AI…
How the Banknote Identifier Works
Upload a Photo
Take a picture of the banknote or choose one from your device. Front or back: either works. Even worn or partially visible notes can be processed.
AI Identifies the Currency
Design elements, portraits, text, colors, security features: the AI checks all of it against a database of world currencies. Takes seconds.
Get Results
You get the country, currency name, denomination, and key details about the note. Pair it with the coin identifier and antique identifier for the full picture.
What Banknote Is This? How AI Currency Identification Works
Banknote Identification
How does it work? Computer vision models trained on thousands of banknote images from around the world analyze your photo. When you upload a picture and ask "what banknote is this," the AI breaks it into visual signals: portrait placement, color palette, typography, geometric patterns, security feature layout. Each element gets compared against a dataset of known currencies. The result usually comes back in under five seconds: issuing country, currency name, and denomination.
Banknote ID Details
Banknotes carry dense visual information. Portraits, landmarks, national symbols, often unique to a specific country and series. The AI also looks at size and proportions, since different currencies use different dimensions. Text and numerals add another layer of confirmation. One clear photo of either side is usually enough. You don't need both, though including both can improve accuracy for older or uncommon notes.
Currency Identifier
No AI currency identifier is perfect. Heavily damaged notes, extreme angles, or poor lighting can reduce accuracy. Some historical or regional issues may not be in the training data yet. Treat the results as a strong starting point. For valuation or authenticity, cross-reference with a bank, a currency dealer, or even a reverse image search to find similar notes and expert opinions.
Is This Banknote Real?
Authenticity is a different question from identification. An AI identifier tells you what the note is supposed to be: country, denomination, series. It doesn't legally certify that the note is genuine. Counterfeiters copy real designs, so matching a known currency doesn't prove authenticity on its own. Important distinction.
Spotting Fakes
That said, AI can help spot obvious fakes. Poor print quality, mismatched colors, missing security features, design elements that don't align: these raise red flags. The AI compares your image to reference images of genuine notes. Blurry microprinting? Wrong proportions? Inconsistent watermarks? The results may flag it. For high-value or suspicious notes, always get a professional opinion. Banks, currency exchanges, and dealers have specialized equipment for this.
Money Identifier Features
Real banknotes include watermarks, security threads, color-shifting ink, and raised printing. Hold it to the light: you should see the watermark and thread. Tilt it for color shifts. Feel the texture; genuine notes have a distinct crispness. The Lens App banknote identifier can tell you what features to expect for a given currency, so you know exactly what to look for by hand.
Banknote Identifier App
Lens App handles far more than banknotes. Coins, antiques, plants, animals, products: all from a single photo. The same AI engine powers the banknote identifier, the coin identifier, and the antique identifier. Collectors and travelers can identify currency, numismatic items, and vintage objects in one place. Free on the web with one daily scan. The mobile app adds more free scans on iOS and Android.
For Travelers and Collectors
Stray notes in pockets after a trip. A handful of foreign bills from a relative. An inherited collection with no labels. A quick photo answers "what currency is this" and "what denomination" without flipping through reference books. Previously scanned results are accessible offline too, so you can review identifications without a connection.
Photo Quality Tips
Photo quality matters. Flat surface, good lighting, no glare. Include the full note when possible; partial shots can still work if enough design elements are visible. One good photo is usually enough. If the first result seems uncertain, try a different angle or flip to the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What banknote is this?
Upload a photo to a free AI banknote identifier like Lens App. It analyzes design elements, text, colors, and security features to identify the currency, country, and denomination. Results appear in seconds.
How to identify foreign currency from a photo?
Take a clear photo of the front or back and upload it to an AI currency identifier. The AI reads design patterns, portraits, and text to determine the issuing country and denomination. Lens App supports hundreds of world currencies.
Is there a free banknote identifier app?
Yes. Lens App is free on iOS and Android, with one free web scan per day. The mobile app provides additional daily scans, plus optional unlimited access.
Can AI tell if a banknote is real?
AI can flag obvious fakes by analyzing design consistency and security features, but it doesn't replace professional authentication. For definitive checks, consult a bank or currency expert.
How to check a bill's authenticity?
Look for watermarks, security threads, color-shifting ink, and raised printing. Hold the note to light to see embedded features. AI tools can tell you what features to expect; banks and dealers provide official authentication.
What currency is this?
Upload a photo to Lens App. The AI identifies the currency by country, denomination, and series. It works with modern and many historical notes worldwide.
How to identify old paper money?
Photograph the note clearly, including any visible text, dates, and portraits. AI identifiers recognize many historical banknotes. For rare or heavily worn notes, collectors and dealers can provide expert valuation.
What makes a banknote valuable to collectors?
Rarity, condition, serial numbers, printing errors, and historical significance. Low-print runs, uncirculated condition, and notable serial numbers can increase worth. AI helps you learn what you have; dealers determine market value.
What is the best currency scanning app?
Lens App is a free AI currency scanner on iOS, Android, and the web. Upload a picture and get the currency, country, denomination, and key details in seconds.
Can AI identify damaged or worn banknotes?
Often, yes. If enough design elements remain visible, the AI can identify worn or partially damaged notes. For badly damaged bills, photograph the clearest section or both sides to improve results.