Most ATMs will not give you change in coins, only bills

When you withdraw money from an ATM, the machine dispenses paper bills only. If you need coins — quarters, dimes, nickels, or pennies — an ATM cannot provide them. ATMs are built to handle and dispense only folded currency, not coins, because the mechanical systems inside are designed for bills of standard thickness and size.

If you need coins, you will have to get them from a bank teller, a cashier at a store, or by making a purchase and asking for change. Some banks let you order coins in advance if you need a specific quantity, though this usually requires a visit to a branch during business hours.

Key Takeaways

  • ATMs dispense only paper bills, never coins, because the internal machinery cannot handle the different sizes and weights of coins.
  • Bank tellers can give you coins if you withdraw money at a branch, or exchange bills for coins without making a withdrawal.
  • Some ATMs allow you to withdraw in smaller bill denominations (ones and fives), which can reduce the amount of change you need elsewhere.
  • Grocery stores and pharmacies will often exchange bills for coins if you make a small purchase, or sometimes without one.
  • Coin-counting machines at banks and grocery stores can convert loose coins into bills or a receipt you can cash at the register.

What to do if you need coins right now

The fastest option is usually a store cashier. Walk into a grocery store, pharmacy, or convenience store and ask if they will exchange bills for coins. Many will do this without requiring a purchase, especially if you are asking for a small amount. If they hesitate, buy something inexpensive — a single item under a dollar — and ask for your change in coins.

If you are near a bank branch during business hours, a teller can exchange bills for coins when ready. You do not have to make a withdrawal; straightforward ask to exchange a five-dollar bill or ten-dollar bill for coins. This takes less than a minute and costs nothing.

How to minimize the coins you need

Some ATMs let you choose the denominations of bills you withdraw. If your ATM has a custom withdrawal option, you can request smaller bills — ones, fives, or tens — instead of twenties. This means you will get more bills but fewer of them will be large denominations, so you may need less change when you make purchases.

For example, if you withdraw forty dollars, you could request four tens instead of two twenties. When you spend thirty-five dollars at a store, you will owe five dollars in change, which the cashier can give you in bills rather than coins.

Using coin-counting machines to convert coins to cash

If you have accumulated loose coins and want to turn them into bills, most banks and many grocery stores have coin-counting machines. You pour your coins into the machine, and it counts them and either gives you a receipt to cash at the register or deposits the amount directly into your bank account if you use the bank's machine.

Some machines charge a small fee — usually between five and ten percent of the total — while others are free if you are a customer of that bank. Check with your bank or the store's customer service desk to find out whether the machine is free and whether you need an account to use it.

Why ATMs cannot dispense coins

ATM machinery is built around the standard size and weight of paper currency. Coins vary widely in diameter and thickness — a penny is much smaller and lighter than a quarter — and the mechanical systems that grab, count, and dispense bills cannot reliably handle that variation. Adding a coin dispenser would require a completely different internal mechanism, and the cost and complexity would make ATMs much more expensive to manufacture and maintain.

Banks have decided that the demand for coins from ATMs does not justify that expense, so they keep ATMs straightforward and bill-only. This is why you have never seen a coin slot on an ATM, even at large banks or busy locations.

Getting coins from your bank in advance

If you know you will need coins for a specific purpose — running a laundry, stocking a cash register, or filling a vending machine — you can visit your bank branch and ask a teller to exchange bills for coins. Some banks will also let you order coins ahead of time if you need a large quantity, such as fifty dollars' worth of quarters. Call your branch to ask whether they can set aside coins for you to pick up on a specific day.

This service is free at most banks, though some may ask you to be a customer in good standing or to give them a day or two of notice for very large orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get one-dollar bills from an ATM instead of twenties?

Many ATMs offer a custom withdrawal option that lets you choose denominations. Look for a button labeled "Other Amount" or "Custom Withdrawal" on the screen. If your ATM has this feature, you can request ones, fives, tens, or twenties in any combination that adds up to your total. Not all ATMs have this option, so check your machine's menu.

Will a store give me coins if I do not buy anything?

Some stores will exchange bills for coins without a purchase, but it depends on the store's policy and how busy they are. A small grocery store or pharmacy is more likely to help than a busy chain. If they decline, buying a single inexpensive item and asking for change in coins usually works.

What if I need coins but all the banks are closed?

Try a grocery store, pharmacy, or gas station. If none of those work, a laundromat attendant or arcade may exchange bills for coins. You can also make a small purchase at a convenience store and request coins as change.

Do all ATMs work the same way, or do some dispense coins?

Standard ATMs in the United States dispense only bills. Specialized machines at banks, casinos, or arcades may have coin dispensers, but these are rare and not available to the general public. Your regular ATM will never dispense coins.

Is there a fee to exchange bills for coins at my bank?

No. Banks do not charge customers to exchange bills for coins at the teller window. This is a standard service. If a bank tried to charge you, that would be unusual — ask to speak to a manager.