Most banks give coin wrappers for free if you have an account with them

Walk into your bank's branch with coins you want to wrap, and the teller will usually hand you the wrappers at no cost. This is a standard service for account holders. The wrappers themselves cost the bank almost nothing, and they benefit from having you deposit the coins rather than take your business elsewhere.

The catch: you need to be a customer. If you don't have an account at that bank, they may refuse or charge you. Some branches will give a small stack to non-customers anyway, but don't count on it. Call ahead if you're not sure.

A few banks have started charging for wrappers or limiting how many you can take, though this is still uncommon. It usually happens at branches in high-traffic areas where coin deposits are heavy. Ask your teller what the policy is at your specific branch before you assume it's free.

Key Takeaways

  • Account holders at most banks can get coin wrappers free from any teller during business hours.
  • Non-customers may be turned away or charged a small fee, so call your bank first if you don't have an account there.
  • Some branches limit the number of wrappers per visit or charge a fee if you're depositing a very large volume of coins.
  • Office supply stores, grocery stores, and laundromats sell coin wrappers for 50 cents to a few dollars per pack if your bank won't give them to you.

What happens if your bank charges for wrappers

A few banks charge between 25 cents and $1 per roll of wrappers, or they charge a flat fee if you're wrapping more than a certain amount of coins. This is rare, but it does happen. If your bank has this policy, they should tell you before they ring it up.

If you're charged and weren't told in advance, ask the teller to reverse it. Most will, because the policy is unpopular and branches don't want to fight over a quarter. If they won't, call the bank's customer service line and explain what happened. Document the date, time, and teller name.

If your bank regularly charges for wrappers and you don't like it, you have the option to wrap coins yourself at home using materials from an office supply store, or to find a bank that doesn't charge. Some credit unions are more generous with wrappers than big national banks.

Where to buy coin wrappers if you can't get them free

Office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot sell coin wrappers in packs of 50 or 100. A pack of 100 wrappers usually costs $2 to $4. You can also order them online and pick them up the same day at many locations.

Grocery stores often stock coin wrappers near the customer service desk or in the office supply aisle. Prices are similar to office supply stores. Call ahead to confirm they have them in stock.

Laundromats sometimes sell coin wrappers at the change machine or front desk, usually for 50 cents to $1 per roll. This is a good option if you need just a few wrappers and don't want to buy a whole pack.

Online retailers like Amazon sell bulk packs of coin wrappers. If you wrap coins regularly, buying in bulk online is cheaper per wrapper than buying small packs in stores.

How to wrap coins without wrappers

If you can't get wrappers and don't want to buy them, you can wrap coins in paper yourself. Use a piece of paper about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. Stack your coins in a column, place them on the paper, roll the paper tightly around them, and fold the ends in. Tape the seam with clear tape.

Most banks will accept hand-wrapped coins, but call first to confirm. Some branches won't take them because they can't run them through their coin counter. If your bank won't accept hand-wrapped coins, you'll need to either buy wrappers or use a coin-counting machine.

Coin-counting machines as an alternative

If you have a lot of loose coins and don't want to wrap them at all, a coin-counting machine can do the work for you. Grocery stores, laundromats, and some banks have them. You dump your coins in, the machine counts them, and you get a receipt or cash.

Most coin-counting machines take a percentage of what you deposit—usually between 8 and 10 percent. So if you have $10 in coins, you might get $9.20 back. Some banks offer coin-counting machines to account holders for free, so check with your bank first.

Coin-counting machines are fastest if you have a large volume of coins and don't mind paying the fee. They're slower if you only have a few dollars' worth, because the fee eats into what you get back.

What to do if your bank won't give you wrappers

Ask the teller directly: "Do you have coin wrappers available?" If they say no, ask if they can order them or if there's a fee. If the answer is still no and you're an account holder, ask to speak to the branch manager. Most managers will override a teller's refusal because it's bad customer service to turn away someone trying to deposit money.

If the branch genuinely doesn't have wrappers and can't get them quickly, ask if you can deposit the coins loose. Many banks will accept loose coins in a bag or container and count them at the counter. You won't get wrappers, but your deposit will still go through.

If your bank consistently makes depositing coins difficult, consider switching to a bank or credit union that doesn't. Credit unions tend to be more flexible about coin deposits and wrappers than large national banks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get coin wrappers from a bank where I don't have an account?

Some banks will give a small number of wrappers to non-customers, but most won't. Call the branch first and ask. If they refuse, buy wrappers from an office supply store or grocery store instead.

Do I have to wrap coins before I deposit them?

No. Most banks will accept loose coins in a bag or container. Wrappers make the deposit faster for the teller, but they're not required. Ask your bank what they prefer.

What if I have a huge pile of coins to wrap?

If you have hundreds of dollars in coins, ask your bank if they have a coin-wrapping service or if they'll count loose coins for you. Some branches have machines that wrap coins automatically. If your bank doesn't offer this, a coin-counting machine at a grocery store or laundromat is faster than wrapping by hand.

Are there different wrapper sizes for different coins?

Yes. Penny wrappers hold 50 coins, nickel wrappers hold 40, dime wrappers hold 50, and quarter wrappers hold 40. Banks give you the right size for the coin you're wrapping. If you buy wrappers yourself, make sure you get the right denomination.