Most banks no longer have coin counters on the floor, but many will count coins for free if you're a customer

The coin-counting machine you remember seeing in bank lobbies has largely disappeared. Banks stopped installing them because they break down often, take up space, and cost money to maintain. But if you have coins to deposit, you have real options — and the fastest one depends on whether you're a customer at that bank and how many coins you have.

If you bank somewhere, call that branch and ask: "Do you have a coin counter, or will someone count coins for me at the counter?" Many banks will count coins by hand for customers at no charge, especially if the amount is reasonable (under $100 or so). Some larger branches still have machines. The answer varies branch to branch, so calling ahead saves a trip.

If you don't bank anywhere, or your bank won't help, a grocery store with a customer service desk is often faster than hunting for a bank machine. Coinstar machines sit in most supermarkets and some pharmacies — they charge a percentage (usually 10 to 12 percent) to count and convert coins to cash or a gift card, but the process takes minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your own bank branch first and ask if they'll count coins for customers at the counter, since many will do this free even without a machine.
  • Bank coin-counting machines are rare now because they break frequently and cost banks money to maintain and repair.
  • Coinstar machines in grocery stores and pharmacies charge a percentage of the total but work 24/7 and require no account.
  • If you have a very large amount of coins, some banks will count them in bulk for a customer, but call ahead to arrange it.
  • Credit unions sometimes have coin counters when banks don't, so if you're a member, that's worth checking before trying a grocery store.

How to ask your bank about coin counting

When you call, be specific: "I have coins I want to deposit. Do you have a coin counter machine, or can someone count them at the counter?" This tells the staff exactly what you need and prevents confusion. Ask what the limit is — some branches will count up to $50 or $100 for free but ask you to roll coins yourself if you have more.

If your branch says yes, ask whether you need to roll the coins first or if they'll count loose coins. Some branches prefer rolled coins because they're faster to handle. If you need to roll them, you can buy coin wrappers at any drugstore or supermarket for a dollar or two.

Go during a slow time if you can — early morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday. A teller counting $200 in quarters takes time, and you don't want to hold up a line of people waiting to cash checks.

Coinstar machines and what they cost

Coinstar is the largest coin-counting service in the United States. The machines are bright yellow and sit near the front of most grocery stores, Walmart locations, and some pharmacies. You pour your coins in, the machine counts them, and you get a receipt showing the total.

The fee is a percentage of what you're cashing out — usually between 10 and 12 percent, though some locations charge less. So if you have $100 in coins, you might receive $88 to $90 in cash. The fee is higher if you choose a gift card instead of cash, sometimes 8 percent, but that varies by location and card type.

The advantage is speed and no account needed. The disadvantage is the fee. If you have $20 in coins, you lose $2 to $2.40. For small amounts, that stings. For large amounts you've been saving for years, it's often worth it to avoid the hassle of rolling coins by hand.

Credit unions and smaller banks

Credit unions sometimes still have coin counters because they serve smaller communities and members expect that service. If you belong to a credit union, call and ask before you try anywhere else. The fee structure is usually the same as a bank — free for members, or free up to a limit.

Community banks and local branches are also more likely to have machines or to count coins by hand than large national chains. If you're choosing a bank and coin counting matters to you, this is one small reason to consider a local option.

Rolling coins yourself as an alternative

If no bank or credit union will help and you want to avoid the Coinstar fee, you can roll coins yourself and deposit them. Buy coin wrappers (paper sleeves that hold a set number of coins) at a drugstore, pharmacy, or supermarket. A penny wrapper holds 50 pennies, a nickel wrapper holds 40 nickels, and so on.

Rolling coins takes time — $100 in mixed coins might take 30 to 45 minutes depending on how organized you are. But once they're rolled, any bank will take them, even if you're not a customer. Some banks ask you to bring them during business hours so a teller can verify the count, but most will accept rolled coins at the deposit slot or through an ATM.

This option costs nothing but your time. It makes sense if you have a small to medium amount and you're not in a hurry.

What to do if your bank says no

If your bank won't count coins and you don't want to pay Coinstar's fee, you have two paths. First, ask whether they'll accept rolled coins you've wrapped yourself — most will, even if they won't count loose coins. Second, learn about a different branch in your bank's network has a machine. Large banks sometimes concentrate machines in main branches or downtown locations.

If neither works, Coinstar is the practical choice for amounts over $50 or so. For smaller amounts, rolling coins yourself costs nothing and takes less time than you might think.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit rolled coins through an ATM?

Most ATMs don't accept coins at all — they're designed for bills and checks only. You'll need to go inside during business hours and hand rolled coins to a teller, or use a Coinstar machine. Some banks have special deposit envelopes for rolled coins that you can use at a night deposit slot, but call first to confirm your bank offers this.

Do I have to be a customer to use a bank's coin counter?

Most banks only count coins for their own customers. If you don't have an account there, Coinstar or rolling coins yourself are your best options. Some community banks make exceptions for small amounts, so it never hurts to ask, but don't count on it.

What happens if I bring coins to a bank and they're not rolled?

If the bank has a machine, loose coins go in and the machine counts them. If there's no machine, most tellers will count a small amount by hand as a courtesy to customers, but they may ask you to roll larger amounts yourself. Call ahead so you know what to expect.

Is there a limit to how many coins a bank will count?

Yes, and it varies by branch. Most banks will count up to $50 or $100 for free, but anything larger they may ask you to roll yourself or charge a small fee. Call your branch and ask what their policy is before you show up with a bucket of coins.

Can I exchange coins for bills at a bank without depositing them?

Yes. If you have an account, most tellers will exchange coins for bills at the counter. If you don't have an account, some banks will do a small exchange as a courtesy, but it's not may provide. Coinstar is more reliable if you need cash and don't bank anywhere.