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- You may only withdraw a specific amount of cash from ATMs daily.
- Most financial institutions have a daily ATM withdrawal limit between the range of $300 to $3,000.
- If you need to withdraw more money from your account, get cash back from a store or visit a branch.
ATMs provide an easy way to access your money quickly if you don't want to step into a bank.
But if you're planning to take out money for a trip or to make a big purchase, you may want to double-check your bank's ATM withdrawal limit so you don't end up short on cash.
Why ATM withdrawal limits exist
ATM withdrawal limits are restrictions financial institutions set for ATMs. This means you are only able to withdraw a certain amount of money from ATMs in a 24-hour period.
Withdrawal limits are a way for banks to control their cash flow since they only keep a portion of their deposits on hand at any given time. The majority of their money is typically lent to other financial institutions, allowing them to earn interest on the funds, which they can return to customers.
There are also security reasons for ATM limits. Withdrawal limits can keep banks and customers safe from scammers and identity thieves. If an unauthorized person gets a hold of your debit or ATM card and PIN, your loss is limited to the daily withdrawal limit.
How ATM withdrawal limits vary
Most banks and credit unions will let you take out between $300 to $3,000 daily at ATMs, but your limit ultimately depends on your account type and your relationship with the financial institution.
It may also depend on the ATM you're using — out-of-network ATM operators may set separate limits to ensure they don't run out of cash before they're replenished.
For example, your bank may limit your ATM withdrawals to $500 a day, while an independent ATM operator allows you to withdraw only $200. In that case, you would need to visit more than one ATM to hit your maximum withdrawal.
If you have a debit or ATM card tied to a savings account, you also may have to keep tabs on the number of monthly withdrawals you make.
Even though the Federal Reserve eliminated its previous requirement to have a transaction limit on savings accounts, some banks may still limit you to six transactions per month.
Managing your ATM withdrawal limit
Plan for large cash needs
Think ahead: If you're going to need a large amount of cash, make several withdrawals in the days or weeks leading up to the purchase.
If you go this route, consider taking the extra precaution of letting your bank know ahead of time that you're going to be making a series of withdrawals so it doesn't get flagged as suspicious activity.
Use multiple accounts
If you regularly need cash, consider spreading your deposits across two or more banks or credit unions. Each account will have its own daily ATM withdrawal limit, increasing the potential cash you can get each day.
Request a limit increase
If you don't need cash immediately, increasing your ATM limit is an option. Call your bank to ask for an increase in your withdrawal limit beforehand. Several banks allow you to increase your ATM withdrawal limit if you tell them you'll need to make a big purchase.
What to do if you hit your ATM withdrawal limit
If you need to withdraw more cash than your bank allows, here are your options:
- Visit a branch location and withdraw money inside with a bank teller. Separate limits apply to these types of withdrawals, but they're often much higher than daily ATM limits.
- If a branch location isn't open, get cash back at a store. Even though this may not be ideal, stores let you get up to $200 in cash if you use a debit card to make a purchase. This may be a worthwhile option if you need cash immediately and your bank or credit union isn't open.
- Consider whether you really need cash. You may be able to transfer money to another account, write a check, or use a debit or credit card instead.
ATM withdrawal limit FAQs
What is an ATM withdrawal limit?
An ATM withdrawal limit is the maximum amount of cash your bank will allow you to withdraw from an ATM in a 24-hour period. If you're using a non-bank owned ATM, the ATM operator may set its own limit.
Why do banks set ATM withdrawal limits?
Withdrawal limits protect financial institutions and consumers alike by managing a bank's cash flow and liquidity and reducing account access by unauthorized users.
How can I find out my ATM withdrawal limit?
Your online account dashboard will typically display your daily withdrawal limit. You can also call your bank or check your account agreement documents. Generally, banks and credit unions will let you take out between $300 to $3,000 daily at ATMs, depending on your account type and relationship with the institution.
Can I increase my ATM withdrawal limit?
Your bank may be willing to temporarily or permanently increase your daily ATM cash withdrawal limit if you call customer service or submit a request through your online account.
What should I do if I need more cash than my limit allows?
If you need more cash and can't wait until your ATM withdrawal limit resets, consider making a purchase at a store that offers cash back on purchases or go into a physical bank branch and withdraw money from a bank teller.
Banking Editor
Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circ*mstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:
- Bank accounts
- Savings and CD rate trends
- Budgeting
- Saving
- How banks operate
EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon.
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