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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Choose among Treasury bills, notes, and bonds by matching the security’s maturity to when you may need the money, then consider whether you want interest payments during the term. Bills mature within a year and pay their return at maturity; notes and bonds pay interest every six months but have longer maturities. If you sell a note or bond early, its market price may be more or less than its face value.
How bills, notes, and bonds differ
All three are marketable U.S. Treasury securities, but they differ in term and payment schedule. TreasuryDirect lists the following maturities and payment mechanics:
| Security | Terms | How it pays | May suit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasury bills | 4, 6, 8, 13, 17, 26, or 52 weeks | Sold at a discount or at par; at maturity, you receive face value. The difference between the purchase price and face value is the interest. | A shorter time horizon or a preference for receiving proceeds at maturity rather than scheduled coupon payments. |
| Treasury notes | 2, 3, 5, 7, or 10 years | Fixed rate set at auction; interest paid every six months. | An intermediate horizon or a preference for scheduled interest payments. |
| Treasury bonds | 20 or 30 years | Interest paid every six months. | A long horizon and willingness to accept market-price fluctuations if selling before maturity. |
Maturities and payment descriptions are from TreasuryDirect’s Treasury bills page, Treasury notes page, and its explanation of pricing and interest rates. The “may suit” column is a practical comparison, not an individualized recommendation.
How to choose for your time horizon and cash flow
If you may need the money soon
Compare bill terms with the date you expect to use the funds. Their listed terms run from 4 weeks to 52 weeks, and the return is realized at maturity rather than through six-month interest payments. Choose a maturity date that fits your plans; the ability to sell a marketable security early does not ensure you will receive face value.
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If you want scheduled interest
Notes and bonds pay interest every six months. Notes cover terms from 2 through 10 years, while bonds mature in 20 or 30 years. A longer maturity means committing to a longer stated term; it does not by itself establish that the investment will earn a higher return.
If you might sell before maturity
Marketable Treasuries can be sold before maturity, but the sale price may differ from face value. For notes and bonds, TreasuryDirect explains that the relationship between yield to maturity and the stated interest rate affects price: when yield to maturity is higher than the interest rate, price is below par; when yield is lower, price is above par. That price movement matters if you need to sell before the security matures.
How to buy a Treasury bill, note, or bond
- Choose a purchase route. Individuals can bid through TreasuryDirect or buy through a bank, broker, or dealer. TreasuryDirect permits noncompetitive bids only; competitive bids go through a bank, broker, or dealer. Treasury says it does not designate financial institutions to sell securities. See TreasuryDirect’s buying instructions and how marketable securities work.
- For a TreasuryDirect bid, account for the auction. The rate is determined at auction, so you do not know it in advance when scheduling a purchase there. TreasuryDirect’s minimum bid is $100, and bids increase in $100 increments.
- Consider the secondary market only with price risk in mind. TreasuryDirect says marketable securities are available in the secondary market and most are liquid, but a sale before maturity can occur at a price different from face value. Its definition of “marketable” means the security can be transferred to someone else and sold before maturity; it is not a promise of a particular sale price.
Do not confuse marketable Treasuries with savings bonds
Treasury bills, notes, and bonds are marketable securities that can be transferred or sold in the secondary market. U.S. savings bonds are a different Treasury product. If your goal is to compare securities that can be traded before maturity, make sure you are looking at bills, notes, or bonds rather than savings bonds.
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