How to Get Quarters for Laundry (and Do Laundromats Have Change Machines?)
By the Laundromat By Me editorial team · Published
Quarters remain the currency of the American laundromat, and running out of them mid-load is a rite of passage. Here's the reliable way to stock up, what to do when the change machine is empty, and how many quarters a normal trip actually takes.
Do laundromats have change machines?
Almost every coin-operated laundromat has a bill changer, usually mounted on a wall near the entrance. It accepts $1, $5 and $10 bills (many take $20s; few take $50s or $100s) and dispenses quarters. The catches: on busy weekends the hopper runs dry, older changers reject crisp new bills and soft old ones alike, and an unattended laundromat with a broken changer has no one to fix it. Treat the change machine as plan A, not the only plan.
Nine ways to get quarters for laundry
- Bank or credit union teller. Ask for a roll of quarters ($10 = 40 quarters). Most branches will exchange bills for coins for customers at no charge; many will do it for non-customers for small amounts. This is the most reliable source.
- Laundromat change machine. Bring small bills — $5s and $10s are accepted by virtually every changer, $20s by most.
- Ask the attendant. Attended laundromats keep a cash drawer for exactly this reason, and the attendant will usually change a $20 even when the machine is empty.
- Grocery store customer service desk. Most supermarkets will break a bill into quarters at the service counter, particularly if you buy something.
- Self-checkout "cash back" trick. Pay a small purchase with a bill at a self-checkout and choose to receive change; some machines will dispense quarters when you request an amount ending in .75.
- Car washes and arcades. Both run on quarters and keep well-stocked changers that accept $20 bills.
- Coinstar kiosk. Not for buying quarters, but for the reverse: if you're drowning in pennies and dimes, convert them to a no-fee e-gift card and use cash for laundry instead.
- Ask your building. Apartment laundry rooms sometimes sell quarters from the management office.
- Vending machines. Buy a $1 item with a $5 bill; most snack machines return the change in quarters.
How many quarters does laundry take?
| Machine | Typical price | Quarters |
|---|---|---|
| Top-load washer | $2.00–$3.50 | 8–14 |
| Front-load washer, 20 lb | $3.00–$4.50 | 12–18 |
| Large washer, 40+ lb | $5.00–$7.50 | 20–30 |
| Dryer (per full cycle) | $1.50–$2.50 | 6–10 |
A normal two-load visit runs $10–$15 in quarters. Bring $20 worth to be safe; leftover quarters keep. Full price detail is in our laundromat cost guide.
Skip quarters entirely: card and app laundromats
A growing share of laundromats — especially newer and renovated stores — are card-operated: you buy a store card from a kiosk, load it with a debit/credit card or cash, and tap it on each machine. Others use a phone app (PayRange, CSC GO, SpeedQueen Insights, Laundroworks) that pays machines over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Prices are often a little higher (odd amounts like $3.79 are a giveaway), but you never hunt for coins again. Our directory tags listings that report card payment; look for the "Cards accepted" tag on laundromats near you.
And if the whole coin economy is the reason you dread laundry day, wash & fold pickup and delivery is priced per pound, paid by card, and requires no quarters at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do laundromats have change machines?
Most coin-operated laundromats have at least one bill changer that turns $1, $5, $10 and sometimes $20 bills into quarters. They are frequently out of coins on busy weekends, and many refuse worn or newer bill designs, so bring a backup plan.
Will a bank give me a roll of quarters?
Yes. Any bank or credit union branch will exchange bills for quarters in $10 rolls (40 quarters); most only require that you are a customer, and some will do it for anyone in small amounts.
How many quarters do I need for a load of laundry?
Budget 8–16 quarters ($2–$4) for a standard washer, 20–30 quarters ($5–$7.50) for a large-capacity washer, and about 6–10 quarters for a full dry cycle. A two-load trip typically takes $10–$15 in quarters.
Can I do laundry without quarters?
Yes. A growing share of laundromats are card-operated or app-operated: you load value onto a store card or a phone app and tap it at each machine. Our listings tag laundromats that accept cards.