How much does Coinstar charge?
Coinstar charges an 11.9 to 12.9 percent service fee (plus up to a $0.99 transaction fee, varying by location) when you cash coins for paper money. You can avoid the fee entirely by choosing a no-fee eGift card instead.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash payout | ~11.9% - 12.9% + up to $0.99 | Service fee varies by location; about $13 in fees on a $100 jar of coins |
| eGift card | $0 (no fee) | Full coin value loaded to an eGift card for a participating retailer |
| Charity donation | 0% - 10% | About 7.5% for regional charities, up to 10% for national charities |
| Bank coin counting | Often free | Many banks count coins free for account holders; not a Coinstar service |
What Coinstar charges for cash
If you choose paper cash, Coinstar charges a service fee that is commonly 11.9 to 12.9 percent of the coin value, plus a transaction fee of up to $0.99 in some locations. Exact rates vary by kiosk, and some machines display fees up to roughly 15.9 percent, so check the screen before you pour your coins in.
In practical terms, cashing in a $100 jar of change costs around $13 in fees, leaving you about $87. The percentage fee means the more coins you redeem, the larger the dollar cost, which is why the cash option is the most expensive choice.
How to avoid the fee
The simplest way to skip the fee is to select a no-fee eGift card instead of cash. With this option Coinstar waives the percentage and transaction fees, so you receive the full value of your coins loaded onto a digital gift card for a participating retailer such as Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, or Home Depot.
You can also donate your coins to charity through the kiosk. Coinstar retains a portion as an administrative fee, generally about 7.5 percent for regional charities and up to 10 percent for national ones, so a donation costs less than cashing out but is not entirely free.
Alternatives to Coinstar
Many banks and credit unions count coins for free for their account holders, which avoids Coinstar fees altogether. Rolling coins yourself and depositing them at a bank is another no-cost route, though it takes more time.
If you only need cash and do not want a gift card, comparing a bank's free service against the Coinstar fee is usually worthwhile. For convenience and a wide range of retailers, the no-fee eGift card remains the best way to get full value from a Coinstar machine.
Frequently asked questions
- What percentage does Coinstar take?
- Commonly 11.9 to 12.9 percent of the coin value for cash, plus up to a $0.99 transaction fee, with rates varying by location and reaching as high as about 15.9 percent at some kiosks.
- How do I use Coinstar for free?
- Choose a no-fee eGift card instead of cash. Coinstar waives its fees on eGift cards, so you get the full value of your coins for a participating retailer.
- Is there a fee to donate coins through Coinstar?
- Yes, a small one. Coinstar keeps about 7.5 percent for regional charities and up to 10 percent for national charities when you donate your coins.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.