Target penny and cash rounding policy

What Target does with cash totals

Nexstar’s NewsNation reported in January 2026 that at retailers including Target and Whole Foods, stores that run out of pennies have been rounding change to the nearest nickel in favor of the customer. In practice that means a cash total ending in 1–4 cents is settled at the lower 0, and 6–9 cents at the lower 5.

Target is a member of the Retail Industry Leaders Association. RILA said in late 2025 that most retailers responding to its member survey were rounding cash transactions to the benefit of customers; the survey did not name individual chains.

What you pay in cash

Does it vary by state?

Customer-favor rounding never charges more than the exact price. In states with mandatory laws, the state rule is symmetric: Arizona (when a seller is not using pennies) and Georgia require symmetric rounding of cash totals, and California will from July 1, 2027. In Connecticut, state consumer protection guidance says to round cash totals down only until the state’s rounding law takes effect on January 1, 2027, which matches a round-down approach. In Washington you may pay the exact, unrounded total if you have the coins, and Georgia’s law requires merchants to accept exact payment including pennies.

Card vs cash

Card, Target Circle Card, Target app and contactless payments are electronic and charged the exact amount.

Tips for customers

• If you pay cash and the store is out of pennies, your change should round in your favor, according to reports.
• Check your receipt; ask at Guest Services if your cash total was rounded up.
• For the exact price, pay with a card or the Target app.

Checked against the sources below as of October 31, 2026. Store policies change; if your store does something different, the sign at the register and your receipt are the best guide. Compare other chains on the store policies page, or check a total with the calculator.