Most ATMs do not take coins, but some banks offer coin deposit machines in their lobbies

Standard ATMs — the ones on street corners and in store vestibules — reject coins. They are built to accept only paper bills. If you try to insert a coin, the machine will either spit it back out or keep it. Neither outcome gets you closer to depositing your change.

However, many banks have a separate coin deposit machine (sometimes called a coin counter or change machine) inside the branch itself. These machines read and count your coins, then credit the money to your account. The catch: you must be a customer of that bank, and the machine must be present at that specific location.

Some banks charge a fee for coin deposits — typically 5 to 10 percent of the total — though many waive the fee for account holders. A few banks, including some credit unions, still accept coins at the teller window during business hours at no charge.

Key Takeaways

  • Coin deposit machines are located inside bank branches, not at outdoor ATMs, and they count and deposit coins directly to your account.
  • You must be a customer of the bank to use its coin machine, and not all branches have one.
  • Some banks charge 5 to 10 percent of the coin total as a fee, while others waive it for account holders or accept coins free at the teller window.
  • If your bank has no coin machine, you can roll coins yourself and deposit them as cash, or exchange them for bills at a retail store.

How coin deposit machines work at your bank

Walk into your bank branch with your coins in a bag or container. Find the coin machine — usually a large, upright device near the teller area or in a separate room. Pour your coins into the hopper at the top. The machine sorts them by denomination, counts them, and displays the total on a screen.

Once you confirm the amount, the machine prints a receipt or deposits the funds directly into your account (depending on the bank's system). Some machines dispense a voucher you hand to a teller, who then processes the deposit. Others connect to the bank's network and credit your account when ready.

The whole process takes five to ten minutes. You do not need to roll the coins or separate them by type — the machine does that work. However, coins must be clean and undamaged; the machine will reject heavily corroded or foreign coins.

Banks that charge fees versus those that don't

Fee policies vary widely. Large national banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo charge customers a percentage fee (usually 5 to 10 percent) when using coin machines. Some regional banks and most credit unions waive the fee for members. A few institutions still accept coins at the teller window during business hours with no fee at all.

Before you haul a bag of coins to your bank, call ahead or check the bank's website to confirm whether a coin machine exists at your branch and what the fee is. A $50 coin deposit with a 10 percent fee costs you $5 — money you lose when ready. If your bank charges a fee, rolling the coins yourself and depositing them as cash may be the better choice.

Rolling coins and depositing them as cash

If your bank has no coin machine or charges a high fee, you can roll coins in paper sleeves and deposit them at the teller window as cash. Coin rolls are sold at most banks, office supply stores, and online retailers for a few dollars per pack. Each roll holds a standard amount: pennies (50), nickels (40), dimes (50), quarters (40).

Sit down with your coins, sort them by type, and slide them into the appropriate rolls. Fold the paper closed. Bring the rolls to a teller and ask to deposit them. Most banks accept rolled coins from customers at no charge. The teller may count them to verify the amount, but the process is straightforward.

This method takes longer than a coin machine (you do the sorting), but it costs nothing and works at any bank branch, even those without a dedicated machine.

Other places to exchange coins for bills

If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to visit a branch, retail stores will exchange coins for bills. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target have customer service desks that can break coins into paper money. You do not need to be a customer; you straightforward ask the cashier or customer service representative to exchange your coins.

Some stores may ask you to make a small purchase first, but many will do it as a courtesy. This option works well for small amounts of change. For large quantities (more than $20 or $30 in coins), a bank coin machine or rolled deposit is faster and more reliable.

What to do if coins are damaged or foreign

Coin machines reject coins that are heavily corroded, bent, or not U.S. currency. If your machine spits out a coin, it means the machine cannot read or accept it. Do not force coins into the hopper; they will jam the machine or be lost.

Damaged U.S. coins can be exchanged at a bank teller window for face value, even if they are worn or discolored. Bring them in a separate bag and ask the teller to exchange them. Foreign coins have no value in U.S. banks and cannot be deposited; you would need to visit a currency exchange service if you want to convert them.

ATMs versus coin machines: the key difference

An ATM (automated teller machine) handles paper bills only. It accepts deposits of cash, dispenses cash, and processes transfers and balance inquiries. A coin deposit machine is a separate device designed only for coins. It counts them, verifies their authenticity, and credits your account.

Think of it this way: an ATM is for everyday banking transactions; a coin machine is a specialized tool for handling loose change. Banks place coin machines in branches because they require maintenance and monitoring. Outdoor ATMs do not have coin machines because they would be too expensive to service and too vulnerable to theft or vandalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit coins at an outdoor ATM?

No. Outdoor ATMs accept only paper bills. Coin deposits must be made at a coin machine inside a bank branch or at a teller window during business hours.

What happens if I put a coin in a regular ATM?

The ATM will reject it and return it to you, or in rare cases, keep it. The machine is not designed to process coins and cannot count or deposit them.

Do I have to pay a fee to use a bank's coin machine?

It depends on the bank. Some charge 5 to 10 percent of the total; others waive the fee for account holders. Call your bank or check its website before you visit.

Can I roll coins and deposit them at an ATM?

No. ATMs do not accept rolled coins. You must deposit rolled coins at a teller window during business hours or use a coin machine inside the branch.

What if my bank doesn't have a coin machine?

Roll the coins yourself and deposit them at the teller window, or exchange them for bills at a retail store's customer service desk. Both options are free or low-cost.