What Is an ATM Withdrawal Limit?
6 Min Read | Published: May 23, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Learn about your ATM withdrawal limit, see how your bank sets this limit, and get tips for accessing cash no matter what your limit is.
At-A-Glance
- ATM withdrawal limits can vary and may often range between $300 to $5,000 per day, depending on your bank, account type, and ATM network.
- If you’ve run into ATM withdrawal limits, you may be able to get the rest of the cash you need by withdrawing from multiple ATMs, requesting a limit increase, using a payment app, or even writing a check.
- Getting a cash advance from your credit card can help you access more cash. However, there are fees involved.
Checking accounts offer a number of benefits, but pulling money from them isn’t always seamless. If you ever need to withdraw more than your bank allows, this guide can show you how to navigate ATM limits to access the cash you need. If you ever need to withdraw more than your bank allows, this guide can show you how to work around ATM limits to access the cash you need.
How Do ATM Withdrawal Limits Work?
An ATM withdrawal limit is how much cash you’re able to take from an ATM in one transaction, or day.
Banks may consider your account type, fraud protection measures, and their own policies when setting ATM withdrawal limits. Knowing your bank’s ATM limit can help you plan ahead, especially if you need to make a larger cash withdrawal.
If you’re unsure about your withdrawal limit, there are several ways to check:
Check your online banking dashboard.
Many banks or financial institutions will display your daily withdrawal cap online in your account details or on their app.
Review your account agreement.
Your financial institution’s terms and conditions often outline your withdrawal limits. You may have received an email or a hard copy of the conditions when you opened your Checking Account.
Reach out to customer service.
If you can’t find your account agreement or the information that you need online, you could always reach out to your financial institution directly. A representative can confirm your limit.
Visit a branch.
If your financial institution has a branch near you, you could check in when convenient. A bank teller should be able to provide details regarding your limit.
Do a test withdrawal.
Withdrawal limits may range from $300-$3,000, but this varies.1 Doing a test transaction close to your expected limit may help you gauge where the cap is set.
Why Do Banks Have Daily ATM Withdrawal Limits?
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who still sometimes use cash when making purchases, you might have run into an automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal limit.2 An ATM limit is the maximum amount of cash a bank or financial institution lets customers withdraw in a single day, or transaction. This may range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Out-of-network ATM operators may also set different limits from your bank to prevent cash-stocking issues.3 Although withdrawal limits may feel pesky, they protect you and your bank against fraudulent activity while keeping machines ready with enough cash for all customers.4
How to Manage Daily ATM Withdrawal Limits
You may find yourself at a cash-only retailer or a restaurant that doesn’t take cards, only to find their private ATM won’t let you withdraw enough to cover the bill. Maybe you’re buying a used car from a private seller and need a large amount of cash, but your bank has a strict daily withdrawal limit.
ATM restrictions can be frustrating, but here are some ways to manage your withdrawal limits:5
- Plan Ahead
Make smaller withdrawals in the days leading up to a big purchase, if possible. - Use Multiple ATMs
Your bank may let you withdraw up to your limit at different machines but be mindful of potential fees from out-of-network machines. - Use More Than One Bank
Keeping accounts at multiple institutions may open the door to multiple withdrawal limits. - Request an Increase
When you contact a customer support representative, your bank may issue a temporary or permanent withdrawal limit increase. - Visit the Bank In Person
Withdraw cash directly from a bank branch, where you’ll often enjoy higher limits or receive support for a limit increase.6
Other Ways to Get Cash If You Reach Your Limit
If you’ve hit your ATM withdrawal limit but still need a bit more cash, you might be able to get cash back with eligible debit or credit card purchases at grocery stores or pharmacies. Instead of using an ATM, you can request cash back at the checkout, and the cashier adds the cash to your total purchase amount. Keep in mind that certain stores might have their own cash-back limits, so these other alternatives may be helpful:
- Transfer Funds
Consider moving money from another account with a different bank and withdraw cash from that institution’s ATM or make a cash withdrawal. - Use a Payment App
Peer-to-peer cash apps can help you send money to a friend or family member who may be able to withdraw cash for you.
Did you know?
American Express® Send & Split lets you send money without standard credit card fees, split purchases with Venmo and PayPal users, and still earn rewards, all via the American Express® App.
- Write a Check
Despite feeling a bit outdated, writing yourself a check and depositing it at your bank or a check-cashing service could be a good alternative. - Consider a Credit Line
You might be able to secure a cash advance with your credit card. Unfortunately, cash advances often come with added fees. They also typically have higher interest rates and interest usually begins accruing right away.7 - Dip Into Savings
If your savings account has a different withdrawal limit, you might be able to withdraw cash from there using an ATM or by going to the bank in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your maximum ATM withdrawal limit will vary, depending on factors including your account type and capacity of the ATM. Some banks may have an official withdrawal limit of up to $5,000, but this will vary.8
Whether or not a bank lets you withdraw all of your money will depend on their policies, the account you are withdrawing from, the type of withdrawal you are making, and other factors.9
Your credit card’s cash advance limit depends on your issuer’s policy, but it’s usually lower than your total credit limit. You may find the exact maximum cash withdrawal limit on your latest statement. If not, look into your account terms or call the number on the back of your card.
The Takeaway
Despite the frustration ATM withdrawal limits can create, they are designed to protect you and your bank. Knowing your limits in and out-of-network, planning ahead, and seeking out alternatives like visiting your bank branch and considering payment apps can help you access your cash.
1,3,5,6 “Navigating ATM Withdrawal Limits: What You Need to Know,” Business Insider
2 “More Americans are joining the ‘cashless’ economy,” Pew Research Center
4 “Daily ATM withdrawal limits: How much money can you take out?,” Bankrate
7 “ATM Withdrawal Limits,” U.S. News
8 “What Are ATM Withdrawal Limits?,” Experian
9 “The Limit Does Exist: What You Need to Know About Legal & Savings Bank Withdrawal Limits,” Yahoo! Finance
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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