Where to cash coins for free in the UK (2026)
How to turn a jar of coins into money in your bank account without paying Coinstar's fees: your bank, the Post Office, building societies and other free options, plus how to bag coins properly.
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Coins pile up fast, especially after a savings challenge. The good news is you rarely need to pay to turn them into proper money.
Free ways to cash coins
1. Your own bank branch
Most banks will take coins at the counter for their own customers for free. Sorting them into bags first makes it quicker and is often required. Some branches have limits on how much they will take in one go, so call ahead if you have a lot.
2. The Post Office
Customers of most UK banks and building societies can pay cash, including coins, into their account at a Post Office counter. It is free, but expect to:
- Sort coins by type and put them in bags, with the amount written on each. Counters have free coin bags.
- Keep to a per-visit limit for coins. Large amounts may need several visits, and smaller branches can turn coins away if they are short of space.
Check that your bank works with the Post Office before you go.
3. A building society or credit union
If you have an account with one, many will take coins at the counter, often for free.
4. Pay-in through a shop
Some banking apps now let you pay cash into your account at PayPoint shops using a barcode. Lloyds, for example, launched this in 2025 with a daily limit. Check your app and any fees before relying on it.
5. Spend them
Use coins for small everyday buys, parking, laundry or self-checkouts that accept coins. It is free, but slow for a big jar.
6. Donate them
Charity boxes and collections take coins of any size.
Coinstar: convenient but costly
Coinstar machines, found in some supermarkets, count your coins and print a voucher you exchange at the till. According to Coinstar's UK site, it charges an 11.99% processing fee plus a 49p transaction fee for cash, and 8.9% if you donate to charity. Fees can vary by location.
So £100 of coins becomes about £87.52 in cash. Fine if you need it today and have no other option, but expensive for a full jar.
How to bag coins
Banks and the Post Office use standard bag amounts:
| Coin | Amount per bag |
|---|---|
| 1p | £1 |
| 2p | £1 |
| 5p | £5 |
| 10p | £5 |
| 20p | £10 |
| 50p | £10 |
| £1 | £20 |
| £2 | £20 |
Write the total on each bag and keep coin types separate. Weighing bags on kitchen scales is a quick way to check you have the right amount.
Can shops refuse coins?
Yes. "Legal tender" has a narrow legal meaning and shops can choose what payments they accept. In practice most will take a few coins, but do not expect to pay for a big shop in coppers.
What to do with the money
Do not let it disappear into your current account. Move it straight into savings, or use it to kick off an emergency fund. If you are saving coins on purpose, the 1p savings challenge turns a jar into £667.95 in a year.
Common questions
Do banks still accept coins?
Most will for their own customers, at a branch counter or through the Post Office. Branch closures mean the Post Office is often the easiest option now.
How much does Coinstar take out of £100?
At an 11.99% fee plus 49p, about £12.48, leaving you around £87.52. Check the fee on the machine, as it can vary.
Can I cash coins without a bank account?
Coinstar and spending them are the main options. Some credit unions offer simple accounts that make cash deposits easier.
This is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant before acting.