A roll of quarters contains 40 coins and costs $10
When you buy a roll of quarters from a bank, you pay $10 for 40 quarters. That is the face value — the bank is not charging you extra. You hand over a $10 bill (or use your account), and you receive a paper or plastic roll with 40 quarters inside, each worth 25 cents.
Most banks will sell you rolls of quarters without requiring you to have an account there, though some branches may ask for ID. A few banks limit how many rolls you can buy in a single transaction or per day, but this varies by location and by how busy the branch is. If you need a large quantity — say, 20 rolls or more — call ahead to make sure the branch has that many in stock.
Key Takeaways
- A standard roll of quarters from a bank contains 40 coins and costs exactly $10.
- You do not need a bank account to buy rolls of quarters; most branches sell them to anyone with ID.
- Some banks limit the number of rolls per transaction or per day, so call your branch first if you need many rolls.
- If your bank is out of quarters, ask when they expect the next shipment or try a different branch.
How to get rolls of quarters from your bank
Walk into any branch during business hours and go to the teller window. Tell the teller you want to buy rolls of quarters and say how many you need. The teller will count out the rolls, take your $10 per roll, and hand them over. If you have a checking or savings account at that bank, you can also ask the teller to deduct the cost from your account instead of paying cash.
Some banks keep rolls in a drawer behind the counter; others have to walk to a vault or back room. If the teller says they do not have enough in stock, ask when the next coin shipment arrives. Most banks receive coins from their Federal Reserve branch on a regular schedule — often weekly or twice weekly — so you may be able to come back in a day or two.
What happens if your bank is out of stock
If your branch does not have quarters available, you have three options. First, ask if another branch of the same bank nearby has them in stock and whether you can pick them up there. Second, try a different bank entirely — credit unions, community banks, and large national chains all sell coin rolls. Third, wait for the next shipment and return in a few days.
During high-demand periods — such as the start of school year or around holidays when people need coins for laundry, parking, and vending machines — banks can run low on quarters. If you need them urgently and your bank is out, calling ahead to a few other branches in your area will save you a trip.
Buying quarters in bulk
If you need more than five or ten rolls, call the branch manager or the customer service desk before you go in. Tell them how many rolls you need and when you plan to pick them up. This gives the branch time to order extra quarters from the Federal Reserve if they do not have that many on hand. Most banks can accommodate orders for 20, 50, or even 100 rolls with a day or two of notice.
For very large orders — such as a business needing hundreds of rolls — some banks ask you to place the order in advance and may require you to have an account. The cost remains $10 per roll regardless of quantity. If you are ordering for a business, ask whether the bank offers any discount for bulk purchases; most do not, but it never hurts to ask.
Coin rolls and their standard sizes
Quarters are not the only coins sold in rolls. Banks also sell rolls of pennies (50 coins, $0.50), nickels (40 coins, $2), and dimes (50 coins, $5). Each roll is wrapped in paper or plastic and labeled with the coin type and face value. The rolls are designed to stack neatly and to be easy to count and transport.
If you need a mix of coins — quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies — you can buy separate rolls of each. Some banks will also exchange loose coins for rolls if you bring in a bag of mixed coins, though they may ask you to sort them first or may charge a small fee for the service.
Using your bank account to pay for quarters
If you have a checking or savings account at the bank, you can ask the teller to deduct the cost of the quarters from your account instead of paying cash. The teller will process it like any other withdrawal. This is useful if you do not have $10 in cash on hand or if you want to keep a record of the purchase for accounting purposes.
Some banks also allow you to order quarters online through their mobile app or website and pick them up at the branch. The process varies by bank, so check your bank's website or call the branch to see if this option is available.
What to do if a roll is short or damaged
Open the roll before you leave the bank and count the coins. A standard roll should have exactly 40 quarters. If it has fewer, or if the paper is torn and coins are spilling out, tell the teller immediately and ask for a replacement. Most banks will swap it out without any questions.
If you discover a problem after you leave the branch, return within a few days with the roll and your receipt (if you have one). Bring the damaged or short roll with you. The teller can verify the count and replace it. Banks keep records of coin shipments, so if a roll was genuinely short when you received it, they will make it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bank account to buy quarters?
No. Most banks will sell rolls of quarters to anyone with a valid ID, whether or not you have an account there. Some branches may have their own policies, so if you do not have an account, call ahead to confirm.
Can I return quarters to the bank if I change my mind?
Yes. If you bought quarters and no longer need them, you can return them to the bank and exchange them for cash. Bring the rolls (opened or unopened) and your receipt if you have one. The teller will count them and give you back $10 per roll.
What if I need quarters on a weekend or after hours?
Most banks are closed on weekends and evenings, so you cannot buy quarters then. Some banks have ATMs that dispense cash, but ATMs do not dispense coins. Plan ahead and buy quarters during regular business hours, or try a laundromat, arcade, or casino — many of these places have change machines or will exchange bills for coins.
Is there a limit to how many rolls I can buy?
Most banks do not have a hard limit, but some branches may restrict large purchases to one per day or ask you to order in advance. Call your branch to ask about their policy if you need more than 10 rolls at once.
Why would a bank run out of quarters?
Banks order coins from the Federal Reserve based on demand. During busy seasons or in areas with high demand for laundry and parking, quarters can sell out faster than the bank can restock. This is temporary — the bank will receive more coins on the next shipment.