Editorial Note: IntuitCredit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which Credit Karma typically receives compensation. Except for mortgage loan offers, this compensation is one of several factors that may impact how and where offers appear on Credit Karma (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
Other factors may include: your credit profile and what products we think you want. It is this compensation that enables Credit Karma to provide you with services like free access to your credit scores and free monitoring of your credit and financial accounts. Credit Karma strives to provide a wide array of offers for our members, but our offers do not represent all financial services, companies or products.
Unless you pay for everything with a debit or credit card, chances are you will gather loose change throughout your day — and while change is still money, it has its drawbacks. There are several ways to turn coins into cash, each with pros and cons.
See your spending habitsStart Tracking Now
- Take your coins to the bank
- Roll them yourself
- Use a coin-counting machine
- Buy a coin separator
- Use them to purchase items
Take your coins to the bank
You can swap your coins for cash by taking them to the bank. This may be a simple and convenient option if you already have a checking or savings account with your local bank. But the bank might charge a fee to change your coins if you don’t have an account.
Pros
- Can be convenient
- You can deposit change directly into your bank account if you hold one
Cons
- You may need to roll coins ahead of time, depending on the bank
- Some banks may charge a fee to exchange coins
Roll them yourself
You can manually roll the coins if your bank only accepts rolled coins. After rolling them, you can deposit the amount directly into your bank account if you’re an account holder, making it easy to build your emergency fund, checking or savings account.
Rolling your coins may be tedious, but it can also be a low-cost option. Here’s how to do it.
- Pick up coin wrappers in the denominations that you need (quarters, dimes, nickels or pennies) — you can get them from some banks for free or buy them online.
- Separate your coins according to the amount listed on the wrapper: $10 for quarters, $5 for dimes, $2 for nickels and 50 cents for pennies.
- Change to cash or deposit the amount into your bank account
Pros
- Low-cost since coin wrappers are often inexpensive
- You can deposit rolled change directly into your bank account if you hold one
Cons
- Can be tedious and time-consuming
See your spending habitsStart Tracking Now
Use a coin counting machine
Coinstar machines quickly count your coins and then provide a few options for using them.This might be the simplest and most accessible way to turn change into cash. Here’s how.
- If you’re not sure where there’s a coin exchange service near you, you can do a quick search on Coinstar.com to find a kiosk service in your area
- Drop your coins into the slot and wait for the machine to count the value
- Select a method to turn your change into cash.
- Get cash (a fee up to 12.5% + $0.50 may apply)
- Exchange coins for an eGift Card (no fee)
- Consider giving back by making a charitable donation (no fee)
Coinstar isn’t the only option when it comes to coin-counting machines. Publix stores also have machines to help you exchange your coins for cash. Depending on the location, you may have to pay a 10% fee. You can also check your local grocery store to see if they have coin-counting machines.
Pros
- The machine quickly counts your coins for you
- Provides multiple cash-out options
Cons
- A 12.5% + $0.50 fee may apply
Buy a coin separator
If you have a huge amount of coins or frequently collect and cash change, you may enjoy buying your own coin separator.
You can purchase something as simple as some sorting trays with holes correlated to different coin sizes or something as sophisticated as an automated counting machine that will roll your coins for you. After sorting your coins, you can take them to the bank.
Pros
- Save time with automated sorting
- Avoid fees from coin-counting machines
Cons
- Initial investment of purchasing the coin separator may not be worth it if you don’t cash in coins often
Use them to purchase items
Of course, you could always use coins to purchase needed items. Coins are also necessary in some situations — like using coin-operated laundry machines or car vacuum cleaners.
Pros
- Save time on rolling coins and the cost that may come with it
Cons
- Counting coins at the register may make checkout longer or less convenient
See your spending habitsStart Tracking Now
FAQs
To exchange your coins for cash, you can find a local bank or retailer that offers coin-cashing services. It pays to determine if a coin-cashing service charges a fee, so you can look elsewhere to avoid such a fee. Some coin cashing machines allow you to exchange coins for cash, gift cards or charitable donations.
How can I exchange my coins for cash? ›
You can exchange coins for cash at most credit unions and banks, but some may charge a small fee for this service. Some financial institutions provide coin-sorting machines for self-service exchanges, and others require you to work with a teller.
What is the easiest way to cash in coins? ›
Your local bank branch is a good place to exchange coins. The branch will typically give you coin wrappers for free. Credit unions or community banks are more likely to have free coin-counting machines for members. Coinstar machines are in many supermarkets, and Publix has its own machines.
Where can I change my coins for cash for free at Walmart? ›
Walmart doesn't have free coin exchange services themselves, but some locations have Coinstar coin counter machines. Keep in mind that Coinstar charges a fee, but you can avoid this by choosing a gift card option instead.
Will banks cash coins for free? ›
Yes, most financial institutions, including some credit unions and banks, allow customers to exchange rolled coins for free. To use this service, you generally have to be a credit union member or a bank customer.
Do any banks have coin counting machines? ›
Community banks and credit unions
Many big banks have phased out their coin-counting services in recent years, but the regional banks or credit unions that do offer coin exchange likely do so at no cost to customers. There may be a small fee for noncustomers to use the bank's coin-counting services.
How do I avoid the fee at Coinstar? ›
The fees associated with using Coinstar's cash option help cover the costs of counting and sorting the coins, as well as maintaining the kiosks. If you're looking to avoid these fees, opting for an eGift Card is your best bet. You bypass the service charge and get funds to use at specific retailers and restaurants.
Will gas stations take coins for cash? ›
Many local businesses, such as restaurants, convenience stores, and gas stations, will accept loose change. Some may even offer discounts on purchases in exchange for your change!
How to use Coinstar for free? ›
Is there a charge to use a Coinstar kiosk? Not always. Free coin counting is available at most locations in the United States if you cash in your coins for an eGift Card with a 0% fee. We have more than 20 stores and restaurants to choose from – eGift Card fees vary by brand.
Can you deposit coins in ATM? ›
There are only a few things you can't do at an ATM that you can do at your bank. If you need to exchange currency, deposit coins or meet with a teller, for instance, it may be time to tap into your bank's location finder for your nearest branch.
If paying in cash, always insert your coins first, and then the paper money at a time. Use the examples provided on the machine's deposit area to properly submit your money. If you are choosing to split the bill between cash and credit, always tap the Cash option first.
Where can I find loose change? ›
Look in the couch cushions, washer and dryer, old coat pockets, pants pockets, dresser drawers, backpacks and suitcases, old wallets and purses as well as tool and toy boxes.
Is Coinstar worth it? ›
In the end, it's up to you to decide if your time is well spent rolling coins or driving to a distant bank. Say you're cashing in $10 worth of change. Using Coinstar to automate the process will cost you up to $1.75. With $100 worth of change to cash in, using Coinstar will cost you up to $13 in fees.
Where is the best place to cash in coins? ›
Where can I cash my coins?
- Your bank or credit union. Many banks and credit unions offer coin exchange services, including national banks such as Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, U.S. Bank and more.
- A local Coinstar location. ...
- Regional retailers. ...
- Paying with coins.
You'd be hard-pressed these days to find a free coin counting service at a national or super-regional bank. So your best bet is to find a local credit union or small community bank that will count your change for free.
Can I bring loose change to the bank? ›
You can turn loose change into cash by taking your coins to the bank, rolling them yourself, using a coin counting machine, buying a coin separator or spending your coins to purchase items you need.
Can you exchange coins for cash at a bank without an account? ›
You can swap your coins for cash by taking them to the bank. This may be a simple and convenient option if you already have a checking or savings account with your local bank. But the bank might charge a fee to change your coins if you don't have an account.
How to pay coins into a bank? ›
We just ask that you separate the coins into full bags that contain only one type of coin. If you have a large number of coins to deposit, please call your local branch first to see if they are able to accept them.
Can you deposit coins at an ATM? ›
There are only a few things you can't do at an ATM that you can do at your bank. If you need to exchange currency, deposit coins or meet with a teller, for instance, it may be time to tap into your bank's location finder for your nearest branch.
