Withdrawing money from an ATM may be less common in the age of digital banking, but it’s still a convenient way to access cash when you need it from your checking, savings or money market account. ATMs come in handy if your bank is closed, you don’t live near a branch or you use an online-only bank and need to get your hands on physical money.
But do you know the limits your bank or credit union places on the amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM? Some automated teller machines limit your transactions by day or month. These limits vary by bank, and even if you’re primarily a cashless consumer, knowing your daily withdrawal limits may come in handy.
What are ATM withdrawal limits?
An ATM withdrawal limit is the maximum amount of cash you can withdraw within a specified period. For example, an ATM may restrict daily withdrawals to no more than $1,000.
ATMs often impose daily limits. This is for security purposes and to maintain enough cash to service customers at any time. ATM withdrawal limits can prevent someone from draining your bank account if your card is stolen. The exact amount you can pull from an ATM at one time may depend on your individual card or account type, the availability of funds in your account or the amount the ATM is capable of dispensing each day.
Examples of ATM withdrawal limits
ATM withdrawal limits vary by bank and the ATM network. Bank of America, for example, advertises a $1,000 maximum daily withdrawal limit, or a maximum of 60 bills, for most accounts. Allpoint ATMs, on the other hand, don’t impose a specific withdrawal limit per day. Limits at an Allpoint ATM vary based on the limits imposed by your card provider.
Below are the ATM withdrawal limits from major banks that are among CNET’s list for best checking accounts and best savings accounts.
| Bank | Account | Withdrawal limit |
| Ally | Debit Mastercard | $1,000 |
| Bank of America | Advantage Banking Debit Card | $1,504** |
| Capital One | 360 Checking Card | $1,000 |
| Discover Bank | Cashback Debit | $5010 |
| Morgan Stanley | Debit Accounts | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Quontic Bank | Checking and savings | $500 |
| Synchrony | High-Yield Savings | $1,000 |
| Truist | Truist One Checking | $500 – $2,500* |
*Bank of America has an $800 limit for ATM withdrawals set up in advance via mobile app.
**Your Truist limit will depend on your checking account level.
Other banks, such as Chase, Citi, PNC and Wells Fargo, have their own ATM withdrawal limits. These may vary by account type and across individual customers. You might be able to find your withdrawal limits online when you log into your bank account. You can also reach out to your bank’s customer service to find out your specific limits.
How ATM withdrawal limits are set
ATM withdrawal limits are established by your bank and the individual ATM. Limits can vary by account type and factors like the account holder’s age. An account holder under 18 years old, for example, may have a lower ATM withdrawal limit than an account holder over 18. Certain ATMs may also cap your withdrawal at a set daily amount.
Your bank may also have stricter ATM withdrawal limits for out-of-network ATMs.
Can you increase your ATM withdrawal limit?
You may be able to increase your ATM withdrawal limit, depending on your bank. Here’s how:
Contact your bank. You can request an increase by speaking directly to a bank branch manager. Branch managers often have the authority to increase your ATM withdrawal limit on an individual basis. Be prepared to make a case for why you need a larger withdrawal limit.
Adjust your ATM limits. Some banks, such as Bank of America, allow you to customize your ATM withdrawal limit through the online banking platform or mobile app.
How to withdraw cash if you’ve hit your ATM limit
If you’re unable to increase your ATM withdrawal limit and you need access to cash, there are a few ways around this barrier:
Withdraw from multiple accounts. In some cases, you can link your savings account to your debit card and withdraw additional money from it if your needs exceed the limit from your main account.
Visit a physical branch. Unless your account is with an online-only bank, you can access cash that exceeds your daily ATM withdrawal limit by making an in-person withdrawal or cashing a check at a local branch.
Get cash back with a purchase. If you’re over your ATM limit, you may be able to get cash back by making a purchase with your card at a store that offers this option.
Alternatively, if you don’t need cash specifically, but need to send a payment to an individual, consider a payment app like PayPal, Venmo or Zelle.
What to do if you need cash in an emergency
If you need access to cash quickly but have hit your daily ATM withdrawal limit, reach out to your bank. You may be able to get a temporary increase on your daily withdrawal limit so you can take out the amount you need.
You can also try the options above: visiting your bank in person, withdrawing from a separate account or asking for cash back at a register.
You can also request a cash advance from your credit card, which you can withdraw at an ATM. We recommend only using a cash advance as a last resort because they often come with high fees and steep interest charges. A cash advance is an expensive way to gain access to money right away, so be sure you can promptly repay the amount -- plus any fees -- before using this method.
How to find ATMs with higher withdrawal limits
Some banks, such as Morgan Stanley, have relatively high daily ATM withdrawal limits -- up to $5,000 a day. Withdrawal limits can also vary by account type. Most banks and credit unions list the ATM withdrawal limits on their websites, which allows you to compare accounts to ensure the daily limits suit your needs.
The bottom line
It’s important to recognize that banks, credit unions and ATMs place limits on the amount of cash you can access at any given time. Even if you don’t withdraw money regularly, you don’t want to be unnecessarily inconvenienced when you need a large sum of cash.
Banks and credit unions impose ATM withdrawal limits to help maintain cash reserves and provide customer security. Most of the time, ATM limits reset daily, but your ATM withdrawals may be subject to limitations per transaction or depending on the actual ATM.
ATM limits vary depending on the bank, credit union, ATM or account type. To work around ATM withdrawal limits, you can call the bank and request a limit increase, adjust your withdrawal limits using the mobile app, get cash back at checkout or withdraw from a linked savings account. If your bank or credit union has bank branches, you can withdraw larger amounts by stopping by in person.
Correction: An earlier version of this article was assisted by an AI engine and it mischaracterized bank limits on ATM withdrawals. Those points were all corrected. This version has been substantially updated by a staff writer.
