If you work in a casino or want to learn a party trick, you may be wondering how to count money fast. Fortunately, you can count faster and more accurately by sorting the bills and coins before adding up the values. You can also try different ways to hold money in your hand so that you can pass it faster from one hand to the other.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Divide, Sort and Add the Bills
Step 1. Separate the bills by denomination
To count quickly, the first thing to do is to group all the € 5, € 10, € 20 bills and so on. Put all the bills into a single pile, then scroll through them one at a time, dividing them into individual denominations.
Step 2. Orient all bills in the same direction
Do this while you pull them apart or after you are done. This way you will be able to count them faster and easier, as well as organize your money better.
Step 3. Count each bill as you pass it from hand to hand
Take a stack and hold it with your non-dominant hand. Take the first banknote with your dominant thumb and forefinger, making sure it is only one. Place it in front of you on a flat surface while you count it. Keep picking up and moving the bills one at a time, counting by denomination.
For example, if you count a stack of € 5 bills, think or say aloud "5, 10, 15, 20" as you take and arrange the first four bills on the flat surface
Step 4. Wrap a rubber band around a stack once it reaches 50 units
Secure and set aside each group of 50 bills of the same denomination. It may be helpful to know the monetary value of the 50-unit stacks of each denomination, so you know when to stop.
- If you are counting € 5 bills, stop when you get to € 250.
- If you are counting € 10 bills, stop when you reach € 500.
- If you are counting € 20 bills, stop when you reach € 1,000.
Step 5. Add up all the remaining stacks and bills
Continue wrapping each 50-unit stack and setting them aside. Once you have finished dividing the banknotes, add them all together, starting with the largest denominations, then add the remaining ones.
- At this point it may be easier to use a calculator.
- For example, if you have three stacks of € 20, 2 of € 10, 5 of € 5 and 5 loose banknotes of € 5, the calculation is as follows: 1,000 + 1,000 + 1,000 + 500 + 500 + 250 + 250 + 250 + 250 + 250 + 25 = 5,275.
Method 2 of 3: Dividing, Sorting and Adding Coins
Step 1. Sort the coins by denomination
Divide the rest into multiple stacks representing all cuts. For example, you can have one for 50 cents, one for 20, one for 5, and one for one cent when you're done.
Step 2. Count a certain amount of euros and form a stack
Take all the coins of one denomination and start counting them until you have a stack of a predetermined monetary value, which you will set aside. The quantity to be achieved varies according to the denomination.
For example, each stack of 20-cent coins can be worth € 2 (10 coins), while one-cent stacks are worth € 0.1 (10 coins)
Step 3. Make identical stacks with the remaining coins
Using the first as a template, create equal stacks for all other coins of the same value. There is no need to count them as you do it; just make sure all stacks have the same number of coins.
If you have any coins left with which you cannot complete a stack, order them and set them aside
Step 4. Add up the remaining stacks and coins
Once you have stacks all the coins of a denomination, count them by value to add them up. At that point, add the value of the extra coins and write the total.
For example, if you have 9 stacks of 20 cent coins (which are worth € 2), you can count, either in your head or aloud "2, 4 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18". If there are three coins left, the calculation is as follows: € 18 + 0, € 6 = € 18.6
Step 5. Add up all the stacks of the various denominations
Once you've written the totals for each denomination, add them all up by hand or with a calculator. The result will be the total value of all coins.
For example, if the pile of fifty cent coins is worth 11.5 €, the twenty cent one is worth 18.6 €, the five cent one is worth 3.15 € and the one cent one is worth 1.33 €, the final calculation is as follows: 11.5 € + 18.6 € + 3, 15 € + 1.33 € = 34.58 €
Method 3 of 3: Using Techniques to Count Faster by Hand
Step 1. Use your fingers to count in groups of 5
Hold a stack of bills of the same denomination folded in half so that all four corners are facing down. Secure it on both sides with your thumb and forefinger. Then, count the bills as you rotate them with the fingers and thumb of the other hand, one at a time.
Pull the first banknote down with your thumb, the second with your index, third with your middle finger, fourth with your ring finger, and fifth with your little finger. Repeat until all the money is counted
Step 2. Pull each bill out of your grip with the opposite thumb
Use your thumb to hold a stack of bills of the same denomination folded in half in one hand, with the corners facing up. Hold the back of the money with the index finger of the other hand. Use the thumb of the same hand to push the first bill down and pull it out of your grip, sliding it sideways. Count as you swipe each bill like this.
Step 3. Pass the bills sorted in bands from one hand to the other
Place a rubber band around the center of a stack of bills of the same denomination. Place the stack horizontally on a flat surface in front of you. Put your left hand on the left side of the bills, stretching only your index finger and thumb. Grab the stack for the top right corner with your right hand and slide your thumb to the left to lift a bill. Count as you alternate your thumb and forefinger to take each bill.
