The basic process: Robinhood sends the money, your bank receives it
To transfer money from Robinhood to your bank account, you initiate a withdrawal through the Robinhood app or website, confirm your bank details, and Robinhood sends the funds via ACH (Automated Clearing House). The money arrives in your bank account within one to three business days in most cases. You cannot withdraw money that is tied up in open positions or unsettled trades — only cash that sits in your Robinhood account is available to move.
The process itself takes about five minutes to start. The waiting happens after: your bank's processing time is separate from Robinhood's transmission time, and weekends and holidays extend both. If you initiate a transfer on a Friday afternoon, expect the money Tuesday or Wednesday, not Monday.
Key Takeaways
- Only cash sitting in your Robinhood account can be withdrawn — money in stocks, options, or crypto stays locked until you sell.
- Robinhood uses ACH transfers, which take one to three business days after Robinhood processes your request, plus your bank's processing time.
- You must link your bank account to Robinhood first, and Robinhood will verify it with two small test deposits before you can withdraw.
- Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays begin processing the next business day, so timing your request matters if you need the money by a specific date.
- There is no fee from Robinhood for withdrawals, but your bank may charge a fee for receiving an ACH transfer — check your bank's fee schedule.
Linking your bank account before your first withdrawal
Before you can move money out, Robinhood needs to verify that the bank account is actually yours. Go to the Account menu in the Robinhood app, select Transfers, then Add a Bank Account. Enter your routing number and account number — you can find both on a check, in your bank's app, or by calling your bank's customer service line.
Robinhood will send two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. Your bank will show these deposits in your account history. You then return to Robinhood and confirm the exact amounts of both deposits. This verification step protects both you and Robinhood — it proves you control the account and prevents someone from linking a stolen account number.
Once verified, that bank account stays linked to your Robinhood profile. You do not have to verify it again for future transfers. If you want to withdraw to a different bank account later, you will need to add and verify that account separately.
What money can actually be withdrawn
Your Robinhood account shows a cash balance and an account value. Only the cash balance can be withdrawn. If you have $5,000 in your account but $4,500 is in Apple stock and $500 is cash, you can only withdraw the $500. The stock stays in Robinhood until you sell it.
Unsettled trades also lock up cash temporarily. When you sell a stock, the sale settles after two business days. During those two days, the proceeds sit in a "pending" state and cannot be withdrawn. If you sell on Monday, the cash is available to withdraw on Wednesday. Options and crypto have different settlement rules — options settle the next business day, and crypto transfers settle when ready within Robinhood but take time to move to your bank.
If you have a margin balance (money you borrowed from Robinhood to buy stocks), you cannot withdraw until that balance is zero. Pay back the margin first, wait for it to settle, then initiate your withdrawal.
The withdrawal request: where to find it and what to enter
Open the Robinhood app and tap Account (bottom right on most phones). Select Transfers, then Withdraw. Choose the bank account you want the money to go to — if you have only one linked, it will be pre-selected. Enter the amount you want to withdraw. Robinhood will show you the available cash balance so you cannot accidentally request more than you have.
Review the details: the amount, the destination bank account, and the expected arrival date. Robinhood estimates one to three business days, but this is Robinhood's processing time only — your bank may take an additional day. Confirm the withdrawal. You will receive a confirmation number and an email from Robinhood.
Once you confirm, the withdrawal cannot be cancelled through the app. If you need to stop it, contact Robinhood support when ready — they may be able to halt it if it has not yet left their system, but if it has already been sent to the ACH network, it will arrive at your bank and you will need to return it manually.
Timing: when the money actually arrives
Robinhood processes withdrawal requests during business hours on business days. If you submit a request at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, Robinhood typically sends it to the ACH network that same day. If you submit it at 8 p.m. or on a weekend, it enters the queue for the next business day.
Once Robinhood sends the transfer, the ACH network takes one to three business days to deliver it to your bank. Your bank then posts it to your account — some banks post when ready upon receipt, others post the next morning. The total time from your withdrawal request to the money appearing in your account is usually two to four business days, but can stretch to five if you request on a Friday or before a holiday.
If you need the money by a specific date, request it at least four business days before that date. If today is Monday and you need the money by Friday, you are cutting it close — request it when ready.
Fees and what happens if something goes wrong
Robinhood does not charge a fee for withdrawals. However, your bank may charge a fee for receiving an ACH transfer — this is rare but possible with some banks or account types. Check your bank's fee schedule or call them before you transfer if you want to confirm there is no charge.
If the transfer fails — for example, if you entered an incorrect account number — Robinhood will attempt to return the money to your Robinhood account. This return can take several business days. If the money does not reappear within a week, contact Robinhood support with your withdrawal confirmation number.
If you see the money arrive in your bank account but it is the wrong amount, or if it arrives twice, contact both Robinhood and your bank when ready. Robinhood can see the exact amount they sent, and your bank can see what they received — one of them will have a record of what happened.
Withdrawing from a Robinhood account you no longer use
If you have not logged into Robinhood in months but still have cash in the account, you can still withdraw it. Log in, verify your identity if prompted (Robinhood may ask for a code sent to your email or phone), and follow the withdrawal steps above. Your linked bank account information stays on file unless you deleted it.
If you deleted your linked bank account or no longer have access to that bank, you will need to add a new bank account and verify it before you can withdraw. This adds one to two business days to the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money while I have open stock positions?
Yes, as long as the money you are withdrawing is in your cash balance and not tied up in stocks. If you have $10,000 in your account with $8,000 in stocks and $2,000 cash, you can withdraw up to $2,000. The stocks stay in your account.
What if my bank rejects the ACH transfer?
Your bank might reject it if the account number is wrong, the account is closed, or the account type does not accept ACH transfers (rare). Robinhood will attempt to return the money to your Robinhood account within a few business days. Contact Robinhood support if it does not reappear within a week.
Can I withdraw to a bank account that is not in my name?
No. Robinhood requires the bank account to be in the same name as your Robinhood account. This is a federal requirement for ACH transfers — money must move between accounts held by the same person.
How long does the verification process take when I add a new bank account?
Robinhood sends the two test deposits within one to two business days. Once you see them in your bank account, you can confirm the amounts in Robinhood when ready. The entire process usually takes two to three business days from the moment you enter your bank details.
Is there a maximum amount I can withdraw at once?
Robinhood does not publish a single-transfer maximum, but very large transfers may trigger additional review. If you are withdrawing more than $10,000, contact Robinhood support first to confirm there are no holds or additional steps required.