Not all banks have coin machines, and the ones that do often limit who can use them
Most large national banks stopped offering coin machines to the public years ago. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank removed their machines or restricted them to account holders only—and even then, many branches no longer have them. Your best option is usually a credit union, a smaller regional bank, or a grocery store with a customer service desk that handles coins.
The reason banks pulled back is simple: coin machines cost money to buy, maintain, and empty. A bank makes almost nothing from letting you roll coins, so they stopped offering it as a free service. Some banks will still count coins for you by hand if you ask, but this takes time and they may charge a fee or require you to be a customer.
If you need to convert coins to bills or deposit them, you have three realistic paths: find a bank or credit union that still runs a machine, use a grocery store coin counter, or take your coins to a coin dealer or laundromat change machine.
Key Takeaways
- Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most other major banks no longer offer coin machines to the public.
- Credit unions are more likely to have coin machines than national banks, especially if you are a member.
- Grocery stores with customer service desks often have coin counters and may use them for free or for a small fee.
- Calling ahead to confirm a bank or credit union has a coin machine saves you a trip, since availability varies by branch.
- Coin dealers, laundromats, and arcade change machines are alternatives if no bank near you has a machine.
Credit unions and smaller regional banks still offer coin machines
Credit unions are your strongest bet. Because they are member-owned and often have lower overhead than national banks, many credit unions still maintain coin machines. Navy Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, and local credit unions in most states have them. If you are not a member, you may still be able to use the machine, but some credit unions restrict it to members only.
Regional and community banks—the kind with 5 to 50 branches in your state—are more likely to have coin machines than Chase or Bank of America. Banks like Umpqua Bank, Mechanics Bank, and local institutions often keep machines because they serve smaller communities where coin handling is still normal. Again, call first: even if a bank has a machine, not every branch does.
If you have an account at a national bank and they no longer have a machine, ask the teller if they will count coins by hand. Some will do it for free if you are a customer; others charge a fee (usually 5 to 10 percent of the total). This is slower than a machine but works if you have a small amount.
Grocery stores and supermarkets often have coin counters
Many grocery stores with customer service desks have coin-counting machines. Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and regional chains like Publix and Albertsons often have them in the front of the store. Some are free to use; others take a small cut (typically 5 to 10 percent). A few stores only let you use the machine if you are a loyalty member, but most do not.
The advantage of a grocery store machine is that you can convert coins to bills or a gift card on the spot, and you are already there to shop. The disadvantage is that the machine may be out of order or out of cash, and you have no way to know until you show up. Call the customer service desk before you go.
Walmart and Target also have coin machines at some locations, though availability is spotty. Again, a quick phone call to the customer service desk tells you whether the machine is there and working.
How to find a coin machine near you
Start by calling your bank or credit union directly. Ask for the branch closest to you and ask whether they have a coin machine and whether you need to be a customer to use it. Do not rely on the website; machines break, get removed, or are restricted without notice.
If your bank does not have one, call a credit union in your area. Most credit unions have a public website listing their branches; call the main number and ask which branches have coin machines.
For grocery stores, call the customer service desk and ask whether they have a coin counter and what the fee is (if any). Whole Foods and Kroger locations are good starting points because they have machines at most stores.
If nothing is nearby, search online for "coin dealer near me" or "coin exchange near me." Coin dealers buy and sell coins and will exchange your rolled coins for cash, though they may charge a fee or offer less than face value if the coins are worn or foreign.
What to do if you cannot find a coin machine
Laundromats and arcades have change machines, but these are designed to break bills into coins, not the other way around. Some laundromats have attendants who will exchange coins for bills, but this is not may provide.
If you have a large amount of coins, a coin dealer is your best option. They will count and exchange your coins for cash, though they may charge a fee or give you slightly less than face value. Search for "coin dealer" or "numismatist" in your area.
As a last resort, you can roll coins by hand using coin wrappers (available at any bank or office supply store for a few dollars) and deposit them at your bank. Most banks accept rolled coins from customers, and this avoids the fee you would pay at a coin machine.
Why banks stopped offering coin machines
Coin machines are expensive to buy (several thousand dollars each), require regular maintenance, and need to be emptied and refilled frequently. A bank makes almost no profit from letting customers use a machine for free, so as machines broke down or needed replacement, banks simply removed them rather than invest in new ones.
The shift to digital payments also reduced demand. Fewer people carry coins, and fewer businesses need to deposit them. Banks responded by cutting a service that was losing money.
Some banks kept machines for account holders as a perk, but even this is becoming rare. If you have an account at a large bank and need to deposit coins, your best bet is to ask a teller whether they will count them by hand or direct you to a branch that still has a machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a customer to use a bank's coin machine?
It depends on the bank. Most credit unions and regional banks allow non-members to use their coin machines, but some restrict them to members or account holders. Call ahead to confirm. Grocery store coin counters are almost always open to anyone, though a few require a loyalty card.
What is the fee for using a coin machine?
Banks and credit unions that still have machines usually do not charge a fee for account holders. Non-members may pay a small fee or be turned away. Grocery store machines typically charge 5 to 10 percent of the total. Coin dealers charge a fee or offer slightly less than face value.
Can I deposit coins directly at my bank without using a machine?
Yes. Most banks accept rolled coins from customers. You can roll coins by hand using coin wrappers (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters have standard wrapper amounts) and deposit them like cash. Some banks may ask you to count and verify the amount first.
What if the coin machine at my bank is broken?
Ask a teller whether another branch nearby has a working machine, or whether they will count your coins by hand. If neither option works, try a credit union, grocery store, or coin dealer in your area.
Can I use a laundromat change machine to convert coins to bills?
No. Laundromat machines are designed to break bills into coins, not the reverse. Some laundromats have attendants who will exchange coins for bills as a courtesy, but this is not may provide and not their primary function.