Popular Posts

How to Deposit Cash at an ATM


Written by Coryanne Hicks | Edited by Ali Cybulski | Published on 01/16/2025

If you prefer to use cash, you may be wondering whether you can deposit it at an ATM. The short answer is yes, you can deposit cash at an ATM. But you will need to check with your bank to find out which ATMs within its network accept cash deposits.

You usually can’t deposit cash at out-of-network ATMs, and if you can, those ATMs often charge an extra fee and generally require longer processing periods. You may also be charged by the ATM vendor.

Here’s more about making a cash deposit at an ATM.

On this page

How to make a cash deposit at an ATM

The exact steps to depositing cash at an ATM may vary by machine and by bank. But the process will generally look something like this:

  1. Find a cash-deposit ATM. The first step is to locate an ATM that accepts cash deposits. These are usually owned by a bank or belong to a partner ATM network. Many banks and credit unions have ATM locators that can show you which ATMs accept cash deposits.
  2. Gather your cash and debit card. Before leaving the house, ensure you have all the cash you want to deposit. Count it so you can easily verify the amount at the ATM. You’ll also need your debit card to log in at the machine. You may want to carry a pen and have a way to access your bank account number in case you need to fill out a deposit form.
  3. Sign into the ATM. The ATM will guide you through connecting with your account. You’ll likely need to start the process by inserting your debit card and entering your PIN.
  4. Make your selection. You’ll typically choose the “cash deposit” option and pick the bank account you want to deposit the money into.
  5. Insert your cash. The ATM will have a deposit slot where you can put your cash. While many modern ATMs accept deposits without an envelope, some older machines may require one. In this case, the machine will likely have a place to access an envelope, or it may dispense one. You may need to fill out information about your deposit on the envelope, such as the amount and the account number.
  6. Verify your deposit. The ATM may prompt you to confirm the deposit amount on the screen. Verify that the amount matches what you intended to deposit. Machines can sometimes miscount cash.
  7. Receive confirmation. ATMs are required to offer receipts for any transaction over $15. Retain this confirmation in case any issues arise later.

How to deposit cash with an online bank

Handling cash deposits may differ when you have an account at an online bank. Many of these institutions partner with ATM networks to allow you to make an ATM deposit. In this case, the process would be much like the one outlined above.

You can usually determine if your bank has partner ATMs through its website or mobile app. But if you’re unsure which ATMs are available to you — and if they accept cash — call your bank’s customer service line for the most accurate information.

If your online bank doesn’t have partner ATMs that accept cash, you’ll need to find an alternative. One option is to deposit the cash into a traditional bank account, if you have one, and then transfer the money to your online bank. Some banks may charge fees to transfer money to an external account, however, so confirm the cost before completing the transaction.

But moving money between accounts at different financial institutions isn’t the only alternative if you can’t deposit cash at an ATM. (See also Alternatives to depositing cash at an ATM)

How to find ATMs that accept cash deposits

To deposit cash at an ATM, you first need to find a machine that accepts cash deposits. There are several ways to do this, depending on your financial institution:

Locating banks that take cash deposits
Visit a branch of your bank. If your bank has branches, stop by and ask a teller to direct you to ATMs that accept cash deposits. Or you can just make your deposit at the bank because you’re already there.
See if your bank has ATM network partnerships. Many financial institutions have a partner ATM network with machines that let you deposit cash. You can often find out if your bank has partnered with other networks through its website or mobile app.
Check your bank’s online ATM locator. Most banks and credit unions have online ATM locators. You may be able to filter your search results to show which ATMs accept cash deposits.
Use your mobile banking app. Some financial institutions offer mobile apps with an ATM locator feature. This may help you find cash-deposit ATMs anywhere you go.
Call your bank’s customer service line. A customer support representative should be able to guide you to a cash-deposit ATM. You can also have a representative give you any additional information you need about the deposit process.

Can you deposit cash at an ATM that’s not owned by your bank?

Most banks don’t allow you to deposit cash at an out-of-network ATM, and those that do often charge a fee and require a longer processing period. You may also pay an ATM operator fee, or surcharge, which is charged by the ATM’s owner for using the machine.

This surcharge typically ranges from $1 to $4 or more, and the out-of-network ATM fee runs from $2 to $5 per transaction. Typically, you can avoid these charges by sticking with in-network ATMs that don’t charge a fee.

If you want to deposit cash, and depending on your bank, you may not be able to avoid ATM fees. For example, both Ally Bank and Capital One partner with Allpoint ATMs, but Ally doesn’t accept cash at these machines. Capital One does.

Alternatives to depositing cash at an ATM

If your bank doesn’t have an ATM network that accepts cash, you can deposit it in other ways, such as:

  • Deposit cash at a store. Some online-only banks partner with retailers such CVS or Walmart, where you can make cash deposits with your debit card or banking app. However, these retailers may charge fees for this service.
  • Convert cash to a money order. Using your bank’s mobile app, you may be able to deposit a money order made out to yourself. First, confirm that your bank accepts mobile deposits of money orders. If it doesn’t, you may be able to deposit a cashier’s check, though these have slightly higher fees than money orders. Use cash to buy money orders at banks, post offices and select retailers for fees of $1 to $5.
  • Buy a prepaid debit card. Use cash to purchase a prepaid debit card, and then transfer the money to your online account. Make sure you have your bank’s routing number and your account number for the transfer. Check with your bank for the exact process.
  • Make an electronic transfer. If you have another bank account that accepts cash deposits, you can always deposit your money there and then make an online transfer to move the money where you want it. The bank and the type of electronic funds transfer, such as wire transfer or electronic check, can determine the fee.

Frequently asked questions

How much money can you deposit at an ATM?

The amount of money you can deposit at an ATM will vary by institution. Some banks set daily, monthly or per-transaction limits, such as $1,000 per day or $5,000 per deposit.

How long does it take for ATM deposits to clear?

How long it takes before your ATM deposit clears depends on your institution’s policies. Deposits made at ATMs owned by your bank may take up to two business days to become available. Meanwhile, funds deposited at out-of-network ATMs must generally be available within five business days.

How can you stay safe while depositing cash at an ATM?

To stay safe while depositing cash at an ATM, remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Maintain distance between you and other people using the ATM. Stand directly in front of the keypad when entering your PIN to block the view of passersby.

The financial institution, product, and APY (Annual Percentage Yield) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your region. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. The content displayed is for general information purposes only; always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account. Contact [email protected] to report inaccurate info or to request offers be included in this website. We are not affiliated with the financial institutions included in this website.