Most banks no longer have coin machines for customers

The short answer: your own bank probably does not have a coin machine you can use. Most major banks removed their coin-counting machines between 2010 and 2020 to cut costs. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all phased them out. If you have an account at one of these institutions, you cannot walk in and dump coins into a machine.

What banks do instead is accept rolled coins from account holders during teller transactions. You roll the coins yourself in paper sleeves (which the bank provides free), and the teller deposits them like cash. This takes longer than a machine but costs the bank nothing. Some banks will also accept unrolled coins if you bring them in a bag, though the teller may ask you to count them first or may charge a small fee.

A few regional and community banks still operate coin machines, but this varies widely by location and by individual branch. Credit unions are more likely than national banks to have them, though again it depends on the specific institution.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank do not have coin machines available to customers; they accept hand-rolled coins during teller transactions instead.
  • Credit unions and smaller regional banks are more likely to have coin machines, but you need to call your specific branch to confirm.
  • Grocery stores, laundromats, and arcades often have coin-counting machines that charge a percentage fee (typically 8 to 12 percent) but work for non-customers.
  • If you have a large amount of coins, rolling them yourself and depositing them at your bank's teller window is free and takes 10 to 15 minutes.

How to learn about your bank has a coin machine

Call your branch directly and ask. Do not rely on the bank's website or app — the information is often outdated, and policies vary between branches even within the same bank. Ask specifically: "Do you have a coin-counting machine that customers can use?" Some branches may say yes even if the machine is broken or reserved for commercial accounts only, so clarify that you want to use it as a personal account holder.

If your branch does not have one, ask whether they accept rolled coins or unrolled coins, and whether there is a fee. Most will accept rolled coins free of charge. If you are a new customer or do not have an account, ask whether non-customers can use the machine — some banks restrict access to account holders only.

Credit unions and regional banks that still have coin machines

Credit unions are your best bet. Institutions like Navy Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, and many local credit unions still operate coin machines. However, availability depends on your specific branch and location. Some credit unions charge a small fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) even for members, while others offer it free.

Regional banks like Ally Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, and some community banks in specific states may have machines, but you have to call ahead. The machines are usually located in the lobby or near the teller area, and some are available 24/7 if the bank has a vestibule you can access after hours.

If you do not have an account at a credit union, you can join many of them. Membership requirements vary — some are open to anyone, while others require you to work in a specific industry, live in a specific area, or be related to a current member. Joining typically takes 10 minutes and costs nothing.

Coin machines at grocery stores and other retailers

Coinstar machines are the most common option if your bank does not have one. These are the large kiosks you see in grocery stores, Target, Walmart, and some pharmacies. They count your coins and give you cash or a gift card in return. The catch: Coinstar charges a fee of 8 to 12 percent of the total value. So if you have $100 in coins, you receive $88 to $92.

Some grocery stores and retailers operate their own coin machines instead of using Coinstar. These sometimes charge lower fees or no fee at all — it depends on the store. Call ahead to ask what the fee is before you bring your coins in.

Laundromats and arcades also have coin-counting machines, though these are usually designed for customers who need change, not for depositing large amounts. Some do accept bulk coins and will give you cash or a voucher.

Rolling coins yourself and depositing at your bank

If you have a bank account, the free option is to roll your coins in paper sleeves and deposit them at the teller window. Banks provide the sleeves free of charge — ask for them at the counter. Standard rolls are: pennies (50 coins per roll), nickels (40 per roll), dimes (50 per roll), quarters (40 per roll), and half-dollars or dollar coins (20 per roll).

Rolling coins takes time. A typical person can roll about 100 coins in 10 to 15 minutes. If you have several hundred dollars in coins, expect to spend an hour or more. Some people use coin-rolling machines (manual devices that cost $10 to $30) to speed this up, but the bank will not provide one.

Once your coins are rolled, bring them to your bank during business hours and hand them to a teller. They will count the rolls, verify the total, and deposit the amount into your account. This is free and takes about 5 minutes at the counter.

What happens if you bring unrolled coins to your bank

Some banks will accept unrolled coins in a bag or container, but policies vary. A few will count them for free; others will charge a fee (usually $5 to $10 for large amounts); and some will refuse entirely and ask you to roll them first. Call your branch before you bring them in.

If the bank does accept unrolled coins, they may ask you to count them yourself first or may count them while you wait. Some branches have a scale that weighs the coins to estimate the total, which is faster than counting but less precise. If there is a discrepancy, the bank may ask you to recount or may adjust the deposit amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Coinstar machine if I do not have a bank account?

Yes. Coinstar machines are available to anyone. You do not need an account anywhere. You insert your coins, the machine counts them, and you receive cash (minus the fee) or a gift card. The fee is 8 to 12 percent depending on the machine location.

Do banks charge a fee to deposit rolled coins?

No. If you roll the coins yourself in paper sleeves and deposit them at your bank's teller window, there is no fee. The bank provides the sleeves free. However, some banks may charge a fee if you bring unrolled coins, so call ahead to confirm your bank's policy.

What if my bank says they do not accept coins at all?

Switch to a bank or credit union that does, or use a Coinstar machine at a grocery store. Some online banks do not have physical branches and cannot accept coins, so if you have a large amount of coins, you may need a second account at a local bank or credit union just for deposits.

Can I deposit coins at an ATM?

No. ATMs do not accept coins. You must use a teller window or a coin machine. Some banks have deposit envelopes you can use at the ATM, but these are for checks and cash only, not coins.

How long does it take to deposit coins at a bank?

If the coins are already rolled, the teller transaction takes about 5 minutes. If you bring unrolled coins and the bank counts them, it may take 10 to 20 minutes depending on the amount and how busy the branch is. Rolling coins yourself at home takes 10 to 15 minutes per 100 coins.