Most banks will give you change, but not always without conditions
Yes, you can get change at most banks — but the rules depend on whether you have an account there, how much change you need, and what the bank's own policy says. A bank is not required by law to exchange your bills for smaller denominations or coins if you are not a customer. Even if you are a customer, some banks limit how much change they will give you or charge a fee for large requests.
The simplest path is to ask at the teller window during business hours. Tell them what you need — for example, "I need five dollars in quarters" — and they will usually do it on the spot if the amount is reasonable. What counts as "reasonable" varies by bank and by branch, but anything under fifty dollars is almost never a problem for account holders.
If you do not have an account at the bank, your chances are lower. Some banks will still help, especially if you are polite and the request is small. Others will turn you away. A few will do it only if you make a purchase or deposit first. There is no universal rule, so you may need to ask.
Key Takeaways
- Banks are not legally required to give change to non-customers, though many do for small amounts.
- Account holders can usually get change at the teller window without a fee, as long as the amount is reasonable.
- Large change requests — typically over fifty dollars — may require advance notice or may be declined.
- Some banks charge a fee for change requests that are unusually large or frequent.
- Asking during regular business hours at a staffed teller window gives you the best chance of success.
What counts as a reasonable change request
A reasonable request is usually anything under fifty dollars and anything that the bank's cash drawer can handle without disrupting normal operations. If you need ten dollars in dimes, that is reasonable. If you need two hundred dollars in pennies, that is not.
The bank's concern is practical: they need to keep their cash drawer balanced and stocked with the denominations customers actually use. A request that empties their supply of a particular coin or bill can slow down service to other customers. If your request is large or unusual — say, five hundred dollars in dollar bills, or a hundred dollars in nickels — call ahead and ask whether the branch can prepare it for you.
Some banks will special-order coins or bills if you give them a few days' notice. This is especially true for coin requests, since many branches do not keep large quantities of coins on hand. If you need a specific amount of coins for a business, a vending machine, or a laundromat, calling the branch manager a day or two in advance is the fastest way to get what you need.
Whether you have an account makes a real difference
If you are an account holder at the bank, you have a much stronger claim on their service. Most banks consider change requests a normal part of account maintenance and will do them for free, even for amounts up to a hundred dollars or more. The teller will straightforward deduct the amount from your account and hand you the change you requested.
If you do not have an account, the bank is doing you a favor, not fulfilling an obligation. Some banks have a policy of helping non-customers with small requests — say, up to twenty dollars — as a courtesy. Others refuse entirely. A few will do it only if you open an account or make a deposit first. There is no way to know without asking.
If you are a non-customer and the bank turns you down, try a different bank in the area, a credit union if you belong to one, or a retail store with a customer service desk. Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and department stores will give you change if you make a small purchase.
When banks charge fees for change
Most banks do not charge account holders a fee for reasonable change requests. However, some banks do charge if the request is very large, very frequent, or involves coins. The fee is usually small — between one and five dollars — but it exists.
Banks are most likely to charge a fee when you are asking for coins in bulk. If you need fifty dollars in quarters for a laundromat, some banks will charge you a dollar or two to count and package them. If you need coins regularly — for example, because you run a small business — ask your branch whether they offer a bulk coin service and what it costs.
For non-customers, fees are more common. If a bank agrees to give change to someone without an account, they may charge a percentage of the amount or a flat fee. Again, this varies widely by bank and by branch, so ask before you assume it is free.
What to do if your bank says no
If your bank refuses to give you change, you have several options. The fastest is to go to a different bank — most banks will help a non-customer with a small request, even if yours will not. You do not need to explain why you are there or what you plan to do with the change.
Retail stores are another reliable option. Grocery stores, pharmacies, department stores, and convenience stores will usually give you change if you buy something, even something small like a candy bar or a newspaper. Some will do it without a purchase if you ask politely, though they are not required to.
Laundromats, arcades, and casinos have change machines that take bills and dispense coins. These machines charge a small fee — usually between five and ten percent — but they work twenty-four hours and do not require you to talk to anyone. If you need change in the middle of the night or on a weekend when banks are closed, a change machine is your best option.
Getting change on weekends and after hours
Banks are closed on weekends and evenings, so you cannot get change from a teller during those times. If you need change outside business hours, your options are a change machine, a retail store, or waiting until the bank opens.
Change machines are the most reliable after-hours option. They are usually located in laundromats, grocery stores, casinos, and some apartment buildings. You feed in a bill and receive coins in return, minus a small fee. The fee varies by machine and location, but it is usually between five and ten percent of the amount you exchange.
Some banks have ATMs that dispense cash, but ATMs do not give change — they only give you the denomination you request. If you need smaller bills or coins, an ATM will not help. A few banks are experimenting with ATMs that dispense coins, but these are not yet common.
How to ask for change at the teller window
Walk up to the teller window during business hours and tell them what you need. Be specific: "I need ten dollars in quarters" is clearer than "I need change." The teller will ask whether you want it deducted from your account (if you are a customer) or whether you are paying with cash. If you are paying with cash, hand them the bills.
The teller will count out the change and hand it to you. The whole process usually takes less than a minute. If the request is large or unusual, the teller may ask you to wait while they check with the branch manager or prepare the change from the vault.
If the teller says they cannot do it, ask whether you can call ahead next time or whether another branch nearby might be able to help. Do not argue or demand — the teller is following bank policy, not making a personal choice. If you are unhappy with the policy, you can speak to a branch manager, but the answer is unlikely to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get change at a bank I do not have an account with?
Many banks will give small amounts of change to non-customers as a courtesy, but they are not required to. The best approach is to ask politely at the teller window. If they say no, try a different bank or a retail store.
What if I need a large amount of change, like five hundred dollars?
Call the branch ahead of time and ask whether they can prepare it for you. Large requests may require a day or two of notice so the branch can get enough cash from their vault. Some banks may charge a small fee for very large requests.
Do I have to tell the bank why I need the change?
No. You do not have to explain what you plan to do with the change. straightforward tell the teller the amount and denomination you need, and they will help you if they can.
Can I get change from an ATM?
ATMs dispense cash in the denomination you request, but they do not break bills into smaller denominations or coins. If you need quarters or smaller bills, you must go to a teller window or use a change machine.
What should I do if I need change on a Sunday?
Banks are closed on Sundays. Your options are a change machine (usually in a laundromat or grocery store), a retail store that will give you change with a purchase, or waiting until Monday. Some credit unions have extended hours on Saturdays.