Most banks no longer have coin counters, but credit unions and some regional banks still do

The short answer: you will have better luck at a credit union than a major national bank. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank have largely removed coin-counting machines from their branches. The machines were expensive to maintain and banks found they lost money on the service — they had to pay staff to refill and repair them, and customers were using them less often.

If you have an account at a credit union, call your local branch first. Credit unions are more likely to keep coin counters because they serve smaller communities and view the service as part of member loyalty. Some regional banks — particularly community banks — still have them too. The only way to know for certain is to call ahead, because availability varies branch by branch, even within the same bank.

If your bank does not have a machine, you have other options that do not require a trip to a financial institution at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit unions are more likely than national banks to have working coin-counting machines available to account holders.
  • Calling your branch before you go is essential, because machines break down frequently and not all branches have them.
  • Grocery stores with customer service desks often have coin counters you can use for free or for a small fee, even without a bank account.
  • Coin roll wrappers cost a few dollars and let you prepare coins yourself, which some banks and all credit unions will accept.
  • Laundromats and arcades sometimes have change machines that convert coins to bills, though they usually take a percentage.

Credit unions and community banks that may have coin counters

Your best starting point is your own financial institution. If you bank at a credit union, contact the branch where you have your account and ask whether they have a coin counter available to members. Many credit unions still maintain them because their membership tends to be more stable and local than a national bank's customer base.

Community banks and smaller regional banks are your next option. These institutions often compete for customers by offering services that larger banks have cut. If you live in an area with a local or regional bank, call and ask directly. Be specific: ask whether they have a coin-counting machine that members can use, and whether you need an account to use it. Some banks restrict the service to account holders; others allow anyone to use it for a fee.

Do not assume a branch has a machine just because another branch in the same chain does. Call the specific location where you plan to go. Machines break down, get removed during renovations, or are taken out of service permanently without notice to customers.

Grocery stores and retailers with coin counters

Many grocery stores have coin-counting machines in their customer service areas, usually near the front of the store. Chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods have them at some locations. The machines are often free to use if you are a loyalty card member, or they charge a small percentage of the total (usually 5 to 10 percent) if you are not.

Call the customer service desk at your nearest grocery store and ask whether they have a coin counter. If they do, ask whether there is a fee and whether you need a membership card. Some stores only offer the service during certain hours, so confirm the timing before you go.

Walmart and Target also have coin counters at some locations, though availability is less consistent than at grocery stores. Again, a phone call to the specific store is your fastest way to find out.

Coin wrappers as an alternative to machines

If you cannot find a coin counter nearby, you can wrap your coins yourself using paper coin wrappers. These are inexpensive — a pack of 100 wrappers costs a few dollars — and you can find them at any bank, credit union, office supply store, or online.

The wrappers come in denominations: pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. You fill each wrapper with the correct number of coins (a penny wrapper holds 50 pennies, a nickel wrapper holds 40 nickels, and so on), fold the ends, and the coins are ready to deposit or exchange. Most banks and credit unions will accept wrapped coins from their account holders without a fee.

This method takes longer than a machine if you have a large amount of coins, but it costs almost nothing and works at any financial institution.

Coin exchange machines at laundromats and arcades

If you need to convert coins to bills quickly and do not have a bank account or access to a coin counter, change machines at laundromats and arcades can help. These machines take your coins and give you bills in return, but they usually take a percentage — often 5 to 10 percent — as a fee.

For example, if you put in $10 in coins, you might receive $9 or $9.50 in bills. The fee is the trade-off for the convenience of getting cash when ready without needing a bank account or a coin counter. This option makes sense if you need the cash right away and the fee is worth the time saved.

What to do if your bank says no

If your bank does not have a coin counter and you do not want to use wrappers, you have a few paths forward. First, ask the teller whether the bank will accept wrapped coins — many will, even if they do not have a machine. Second, ask whether any other branch in your area has a machine. Third, check whether you have a credit union option through your employer or a community organization you belong to.

If none of those work, the grocery store option is usually fastest. A quick call to three or four nearby stores will usually turn up at least one with a working machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bank account to use a coin counter?

It depends on where the machine is. Bank and credit union machines are usually for account holders only. Grocery store machines often have no account requirement, though some charge a fee for non-members. Call ahead to confirm the policy at the specific location.

What if the coin counter is broken when I get there?

Machines break down frequently and are not always repaired quickly. If you arrive and the machine is out of service, ask the staff when it will be fixed or whether another branch has a working one. This is why calling ahead is worth the time.

Can I deposit coins directly into my bank account without counting them first?

Most banks require coins to be counted, wrapped, or run through a machine before deposit. Some branches will count them for you if you ask, but this is not may provide. Wrapped coins are the safest bet — the bank will accept them without question.

How much does it cost to use a grocery store coin counter?

Fees vary. Some stores charge nothing for members. Others charge 5 to 10 percent of the total value. A few charge a flat fee like 50 cents or a dollar. Call the store's customer service desk to ask about their specific policy.

Where can I buy coin wrappers?

Coin wrappers are sold at banks, credit unions, office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot, and online retailers. A pack of 100 wrappers costs a few dollars. You can also ask your bank for free wrappers — many provide them to account holders at no charge.