How the transfer works

You move money from Chime to another bank account by linking that account to Chime and then initiating a transfer through the Chime app or website. Chime treats the receiving account as an external account — it is not part of Chime's own system, so the transfer has to route through the banking network that connects different institutions.

The transfer itself is free. Chime does not charge for outgoing transfers to external accounts. The receiving bank may have its own rules about incoming transfers, but most do not charge to receive money.

How long the transfer takes depends on the method you choose. A standard ACH transfer (the most common route) usually takes one to two business days. A real-time transfer, if both banks support it, can arrive within minutes to an hour. An when ready transfer using a debit card number is also available but may have lower limits.

Key Takeaways

  • You must link the external account to Chime first by providing its routing number and account number, and Chime will verify it with two small test deposits.
  • Standard ACH transfers are free and take one to two business days; real-time transfers arrive faster but may have lower daily limits.
  • Transfers initiated before 5 p.m. ET on a business day usually process that day; transfers after 5 p.m. or on weekends start processing the next business day.
  • You can transfer out of a Chime checking account, savings account, or both, depending on which accounts you hold.

Linking an external account to Chime

Before you can transfer money out, you need to add the receiving account as a linked external account in Chime. Open the Chime app or go to chime.com, then navigate to the Transfers section. Select "Add External Account" or "Link Account" (the exact wording varies by app version).

Enter the receiving bank's routing number and the account number you want to receive the money. Chime will ask you to confirm the account holder's name. Do not skip this step — if the name does not match the account, the transfer may be rejected or delayed.

Chime will send two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to the external account within one to two business days. You will need to confirm the exact amounts of these deposits back in the Chime app to verify you own the account. This is Chime's way of confirming you control both accounts. Once verified, the account stays linked and you can transfer to it whenever you want.

Initiating a transfer from Chime

Once the external account is linked and verified, go to the Transfers section in the Chime app or website. Select the account you want to transfer from (checking or savings), then choose the linked external account as the destination. Enter the amount you want to move.

Chime will show you the expected arrival date based on the transfer method and the time of day you are initiating it. If you initiate before 5 p.m. ET on a business day, the transfer usually processes the same day. After 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays, it queues for the next business day.

Review the details, then confirm. Chime will send you a confirmation number and a notification. The money leaves your Chime account when ready, but it does not arrive at the external account until the transfer completes — usually one to two business days for ACH, or minutes to an hour for real-time transfers.

Transfer methods and timing

Chime offers three main ways to move money out: standard ACH, real-time transfers, and when ready transfers using a debit card.

Standard ACH transfers are the default. They are free and take one to two business days. The receiving bank processes them on its own schedule, so the exact arrival time varies. This method works with any bank account.

Real-time transfers (also called RTP or faster payments) arrive within minutes to an hour if both Chime and the receiving bank support the service. Not all banks participate yet, so Chime will tell you whether the receiving bank is may be able to access when you initiate the transfer. Real-time transfers are free and have the same daily limits as standard ACH.

when ready transfers using a debit card let you move money to a debit card number instead of a bank account. These arrive within minutes but have lower daily limits — usually $500 to $2,000 per day depending on your account history with Chime. Chime does not charge a fee, but the receiving institution may.

Daily and monthly transfer limits

Chime does not publish a single fixed limit for all customers. Limits vary based on your account age, history, and verification status. New accounts typically have lower limits than established ones.

A reasonable expectation is that you can transfer several thousand dollars per day through standard ACH or real-time transfers. If you need to move a larger amount, you can split it across multiple days or contact Chime support to ask about your specific limit.

when ready transfers using a debit card have separate, lower limits — often $500 to $2,000 per day. These limits reset daily, so if you hit the limit on one day, you can transfer again the next day.

What happens if a transfer fails or is rejected

A transfer can fail for several reasons: the external account number or routing number is wrong, the receiving bank rejects it, the account holder name does not match, or the receiving account is closed or frozen.

If a transfer fails, Chime will notify you and the money returns to your Chime account within one to two business days. Check the notification for the reason — it usually tells you what went wrong. Common fixes are verifying the account number and routing number again, or re-linking the account with the correct information.

If the receiving bank is rejecting transfers for a reason you cannot fix (for example, the account is flagged for fraud), contact the receiving bank directly to resolve the issue before trying again.

Transferring from Chime savings to Chime checking

If you have both a Chime checking account and a Chime savings account, you can move money between them without linking an external account. This is an internal transfer and is when ready — the money moves within seconds.

Go to Transfers in the app, select "Transfer Between My Accounts," choose Chime Savings as the source and Chime Checking as the destination (or vice versa), enter the amount, and confirm. The money is available when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money from Chime to a savings account at another bank?

Yes. Savings accounts are treated the same as checking accounts — you link them by routing number and account number, verify with the test deposits, and then transfer. The timing and process are identical.

What if I do not know the routing number for my bank?

You can find your bank's routing number on a check, on your bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Chime's app sometimes auto-fills the routing number if you type the bank name, but verify it is correct before confirming the link.

Can I transfer money from Chime to a joint account?

Yes, but the account holder name you enter when linking should match the name on the account. If the account is in two names, use the primary account holder's name. The receiving bank will process the deposit regardless of whose name is on the account.

How do I know if a real-time transfer is available to my bank?

When you initiate a transfer and select the external account, Chime will show you which methods are available. If real-time transfer is an option, it will appear alongside standard ACH. If only ACH is shown, the receiving bank does not participate in real-time transfer networks yet.

What if I accidentally transfer money to the wrong account?

Once a transfer leaves Chime and reaches the receiving bank, Chime cannot reverse it. Contact the receiving bank when ready and explain the error — they may be able to recover the funds if the account holder cooperates. You can also contact Chime support, but they will likely direct you to the receiving bank since the money is no longer in Chime's system.