The main ways to transfer money in
You can move money into a Capital One savings account in four main ways: from another bank account using an external transfer, from a Capital One checking account using an internal transfer, by depositing cash or a check at a Capital One branch or ATM, or by having your employer or another source deposit money directly. The fastest route depends on which bank your money is currently in and whether you need the funds right away.
Each method takes a different amount of time and requires different information from you. Some are when ready, others take one to three business days. Knowing which one fits your situation saves you from waiting longer than necessary or discovering mid-transfer that you're missing a piece of information.
Key Takeaways
- Transferring from another bank usually takes one to three business days, and you will need your Capital One account number and routing number to set it up.
- Moving money between your own Capital One accounts (checking to savings) is when ready and requires only your account numbers.
- Direct deposit from your employer or a government benefit is free and automatic once you provide your Capital One account and routing numbers to the source.
- Cash deposits at a Capital One branch or ATM are available when ready, but not all ATMs accept deposits.
Transferring from another bank account
This is the most common way to move money in if your paycheck or other funds land in a different bank. You will need your Capital One savings account number and Capital One's routing number. Capital One's routing number is 051405515 for most accounts, but confirm this with your bank or Capital One before you start, since routing numbers can vary by region.
Log into your other bank's website or app and look for a section called "Transfer Money," "Send Money," or "External Transfers." You will enter Capital One as the receiving bank, provide your Capital One account number, and specify the amount. Your other bank will ask whether this is a one-time transfer or a recurring one. The money usually arrives within one to three business days. Some banks offer faster options (sometimes called "same-day ACH" or "real-time payments"), but these are not may provide and may have limits on how much you can send.
If you prefer not to use your other bank's website, you can also call Capital One directly and ask them to pull the money from your other account. You will need to provide your other bank's account number and routing number, and Capital One will initiate the transfer on their end. This takes the same one to three business days.
Moving money between your own Capital One accounts
If you have both a Capital One checking account and a Capital One savings account, transferring between them is when ready. Log into your Capital One online banking or mobile app, select "Transfer," choose your checking account as the source and your savings account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The money appears in your savings account when ready.
You can also call Capital One's customer service line and ask them to move the money for you. This also happens when ready. There are no fees for transferring between your own accounts at Capital One.
Direct deposit from your employer or benefits
If you receive a paycheck, tax refund, or government benefit, you can have it deposited directly into your Capital One savings account. This is free and automatic once you set it up. You will need to provide your employer or the benefit administrator with your Capital One account number and Capital One's routing number (051405515).
For a paycheck, contact your employer's payroll or human resources department and ask for a direct deposit form. Fill in your Capital One information and return it. Your first direct deposit usually arrives within one or two pay periods. For tax refunds or government benefits like Social Security or unemployment, you will enter your Capital One information when you file your tax return or set up your benefit account online.
Depositing cash or checks at a Capital One location
If you have cash or a check, you can deposit it at a Capital One branch during business hours. Bring your debit card or account number so the teller knows which account to deposit into. The money is available in your account when ready, though the check may take one to two business days to fully clear depending on the amount and the check's origin.
Some Capital One ATMs also accept cash and check deposits, though not all do. Look for an ATM labeled as accepting deposits, or call your local branch to confirm which ATMs near you have this feature. Deposits made at an ATM are usually available within one business day.
What information you need for each method
| Transfer method | Information you need | Time to arrive |
|---|---|---|
| From another bank | Your Capital One account number and routing number (051405515) | 1–3 business days |
| Between Capital One accounts | Your Capital One account numbers | when ready |
| Direct deposit | Your Capital One account number and routing number (051405515) | 1–2 pay periods or varies by source |
| Cash or check deposit | Your debit card or account number | when ready (cash) or 1–2 business days (check) |
Finding your account and routing numbers
Your Capital One account number appears on your debit card, on statements, and in your online banking portal. It is usually 10 to 12 digits. Your routing number (051405515) is the same for all Capital One customers in most cases, but you can confirm it by logging into your online account, calling Capital One at 1-800-655-9541, or checking a deposit slip if you have one.
Some banks ask for your account number with or without leading zeros. If a transfer fails, double-check that you entered the number exactly as it appears on your statement or in your online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to transfer money from my checking account at another bank?
Most transfers take one to three business days. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. Some banks offer faster options, but these are not standard and may have limits on the amount you can send.
Can I transfer money into my Capital One savings account from a credit card?
No. You cannot transfer money directly from a credit card to a savings account. You would need to pay off the credit card balance first (moving money from your bank account to the card), then transfer from your bank account to savings. Transferring from a credit card to a savings account would count as a cash advance, which carries fees and interest.
What if my transfer fails or the money does not arrive?
Contact Capital One within a few business days and provide the date you initiated the transfer, the amount, and the bank you transferred from. They can trace the transfer and tell you whether it is still in progress or whether something went wrong. If the money was sent from your other bank but did not arrive at Capital One, your other bank may need to investigate on their end.
Is there a limit on how much I can transfer into my savings account?
Capital One does not publicly state a per-transfer limit, but some banks limit external transfers to a certain amount per day or per month. Check your other bank's transfer limits, or contact Capital One to ask about any limits on incoming transfers to your specific account.
Can I set up recurring transfers into my Capital One savings account?
Yes. When you set up a transfer from another bank, you can usually choose whether it is one-time or recurring (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.). You can also set up recurring transfers between your own Capital One accounts through your online banking portal.