Most bank ATMs are available 24/7, but not all of them, and access depends on your bank, the machine's location, and whether you own the account

The short answer: many bank ATMs run around the clock, but your bank may limit access to certain machines, charge you to use another bank's ATM, or restrict withdrawals at odd hours. A Chase ATM in a 24-hour grocery store will likely work at 3 a.m., but a Wells Fargo machine inside a branch that closes at 5 p.m. will not. Some banks disable their ATMs during maintenance windows or security updates, usually late at night. The only way to know what you can access right now is to check your bank's ATM locator or call the number on the back of your card.

Whether an ATM is open depends on three things: where the machine is located, who owns it, and whether your bank has scheduled maintenance. An ATM in a bank branch lobby typically stays open 24 hours. An ATM inside the branch itself closes when the branch closes. A standalone ATM in a gas station or retail location may be available around the clock, but only if that location is open 24 hours. If you use an ATM owned by a different bank, you will pay a fee—usually $2 to $4 per withdrawal.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank ATMs inside branches close when the branch closes, usually in the evening; ATMs in lobbies or standalone locations often stay open 24 hours.
  • Using an ATM owned by a different bank typically costs you a fee of $2 to $4, charged by either your bank, the ATM owner, or both.
  • Some banks limit the number of free out-of-network ATM withdrawals per month, after which each use costs money.
  • ATM outages happen for maintenance, software updates, or technical failures, and your bank's app or website usually shows which machines are down.
  • If you need cash at an unusual hour, a convenience store, gas station, or 24-hour pharmacy may have an ATM, but expect to pay a fee if it is not your bank's machine.

Which ATMs stay open 24 hours and which ones close

ATMs in bank branch lobbies—the ones you can access without entering the main building—typically stay open 24 hours. ATMs inside the branch itself, behind the teller line or in the customer area, close when the branch closes. Most bank branches close between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and do not open on Sundays, so an ATM inside those walls is not available outside those hours.

Standalone ATMs—machines in parking lots, gas stations, or retail locations—are usually available around the clock, but this depends on the location's hours and the machine's owner. A standalone ATM in a 24-hour Walgreens will work at midnight. One in a grocery store that closes at 11 p.m. may not. Check your bank's ATM locator tool to see the hours listed for each machine.

Some banks perform maintenance or security updates on their ATMs during late-night hours, typically between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. During these windows, the machine may be offline or show an error message. These outages are usually brief—under an hour—but if you need cash at that exact moment, you will have to use a different ATM or wait until the maintenance ends. Your bank's app often displays which machines are currently down.

Fees for using another bank's ATM

Using an ATM owned by a bank other than yours costs money. The fee structure has three parts: your bank may charge you, the ATM owner may charge you, or both may charge you. A typical out-of-network withdrawal costs $2 to $4 total. Some banks charge $1.50 and the ATM owner charges $2, so you pay $3.50 for a single withdrawal.

A few banks offer fee reimbursement programs that refund out-of-network ATM fees at the end of each month. Schwab Bank, Charles Schwab, and some online banks like Ally reimburse all ATM fees worldwide. Traditional banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase do not, though they may offer limited reimbursement if you maintain a high balance or have a premium account.

Many banks also cap the number of free out-of-network withdrawals per month. After you hit that limit—often 3 to 6 per month—each additional withdrawal costs a fee. Check your account agreement or call your bank to find out your limit. This cap applies only to out-of-network ATMs; withdrawals from your own bank's ATMs are always free and unlimited.

How to find ATMs that are open right now

Your bank's mobile app or website has an ATM locator that shows which machines are nearby and their hours. Open the app, tap "ATM locator" or "Find an ATM," enter your location or zip code, and the map will show nearby machines with their addresses and hours. Many locators also show whether the ATM is currently online or offline due to maintenance.

If you do not have access to the app, call the number on the back of your debit card. A representative can tell you the nearest open ATM and confirm it is working. This takes about two minutes and is faster than searching online if you are in an unfamiliar area or in a hurry.

If your bank's ATM is down or too far away, you can withdraw cash at a grocery store, pharmacy, or gas station by making a purchase and asking for cash back. This is free and does not count as an ATM withdrawal, so no fee applies. The amount you can withdraw varies by store—typically $20 to $100—but you avoid the out-of-network fee entirely.

What happens if an ATM is broken or takes your card

If an ATM eats your card or malfunctions during a transaction, contact your bank immediately. Call the number on the back of your card or use the app to report the issue. Your bank can freeze the card to prevent fraud, retrieve it from the machine (if possible), and issue a replacement within 3 to 7 business days. Most banks offer expedited shipping for a fee if you need the card sooner.

If the ATM debited your account but did not dispense cash, report it to your bank right away. The bank will investigate by reviewing the machine's transaction log and video footage. If the ATM malfunctioned, the bank refunds the money—usually within 5 to 10 business days. If you withdrew the cash and forgot, the bank will not refund it, but the investigation will show that on the footage.

If an ATM charged you a fee by mistake—for example, your bank's ATM charged you an out-of-network fee—call customer service and ask for a reversal. Most banks reverse one or two erroneous fees per year without question. Document the date, time, location, and amount when you call so the representative can find the transaction quickly.

ATM access for accounts at online banks

Online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover do not own ATM networks, so they partner with other banks or ATM networks to give you access. Ally, for example, reimburses all out-of-network ATM fees worldwide, so you can use any ATM without paying. Charles Schwab offers the same benefit. Discover reimburses fees at ATMs in the Allpoint network, which includes over 55,000 machines globally.

If your online bank does not reimburse fees, you will pay $2 to $4 per out-of-network withdrawal. Some online banks partner with specific ATM networks—like Allpoint or MoneyPass—to offer free or reduced-fee access to thousands of machines. Check your bank's website to see which network they use and where those machines are located. This information is usually in the FAQ or account features section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw money from a bank ATM if I do not have an account there?

No. You can only withdraw from an ATM owned by your bank or a bank in your bank's network. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you will be charged a fee, but the transaction will go through. You cannot use another bank's ATM without an account at that bank or a card issued by that bank.

What if I need cash and all the ATMs near me are down?

Go to a grocery store, gas station, or pharmacy and make a small purchase, then ask for cash back. This is free and does not count as an ATM withdrawal. You can also visit a bank branch during business hours and withdraw cash from a teller, though this requires you to go inside the building.

Do ATMs charge different fees at night than during the day?

No. ATM fees are the same 24 hours a day. The fee depends on whether the ATM is owned by your bank or another bank, not on the time of day. However, some banks may temporarily disable ATMs during maintenance windows, which usually happen late at night.

Can I set a limit on how much I can withdraw from an ATM?

Yes. Most banks let you set a daily ATM withdrawal limit through your mobile app or by calling customer service. This protects you if your card is stolen. The limit you set applies to all ATMs, not just your bank's machines.

Will my bank refund me if an ATM charged me a fee by mistake?

Usually yes, if you report it quickly. Call your bank and explain the error. Most banks reverse one or two erroneous fees per year without requiring documentation. If the fee was charged correctly but you dispute it, the bank will review the transaction and either refund it or explain why the charge was valid.