Making Change Calculator

Enter the amount due and the amount paid to get the change and exactly which bills and coins to hand back, using US denominations or any currency you set up.

Change due$36.63
currency units

0 – 1000000000

currency units

0 – 1000000000

Change due

$36.63

  • Pieces (notes and coins)10
Change breakdown (largest first)
DenominationCountValue
$20120.00
$10110.00
$515.00
$111.00
25¢ quarter20.50
10¢ dime10.10
1¢ penny30.03

Uses the fewest US notes and coins. Cashiers often skip $2 bills and 50¢ coins, so they are optional.

How this was calculated

Change = paid − due = 50.00 − 13.37 = 36.63.

1 × $20 = 20.00

1 × $10 = 10.00

1 × $5 = 5.00

1 × $1 = 1.00

2 × 25¢ quarter = 0.50

1 × 10¢ dime = 0.10

3 × 1¢ penny = 0.03

How the change is broken down

Change = amount paid − amount due, worked in whole cents so rounding never drifts. The breakdown uses the largest denomination that fits, then repeats with what is left. For US currency this always gives the fewest pieces.

The default set is $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1 bills with quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. You can include $2 bills, $1 coins and half dollars, or enter your own list for another currency.

Worked example

A customer pays 50.00 for a 13.37 purchase. Change = 36.63: one $20, one $10, one $5, one $1, two quarters, one dime and three pennies, 10 pieces in all.

Other currencies

Enter the denominations as a comma-separated list, for example 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.02, 0.01 for euros. Some countries round cash totals to 0.05 or 0.10; round the amount due first when that applies.

How to use the Making Change Calculator

Enter the amounts and pick the denominations.

  1. Enter the amount due

    The total to pay.

  2. Enter the amount paid

    The cash handed over.

  3. Choose denominations

    US, US with $2 and dollar coins, or a custom list.

References

Frequently asked questions

Is largest-first always the fewest coins?

For US dollars and standard currency sets, yes. An unusual custom set can occasionally need a different mix.

Why doesn't it use $2 bills?

They are legal tender but rarely used by cashiers. Choose the option that includes $2 bills, $1 coins and half dollars if you want them.

What if the customer underpays?

The calculator tells you how much is still owed instead of computing change.

Last updated . Results are estimates for informational purposes only.