Yes, you can link your bank account to PayPal, and most people do

PayPal lets you connect a checking or savings account so money can move between them. Once linked, you can send money from your bank to PayPal, withdraw PayPal balance back to your bank, and set up automatic transfers. The connection is encrypted — PayPal doesn't store your full account number the way it appears on your checks.

Linking takes about five minutes. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, both found on the bottom left of a check or through your bank's website. After you provide them, PayPal sends two small test deposits (usually under a dollar each) to your account within one to two business days. You then confirm the amounts in PayPal to prove you own the account. Once confirmed, the link is active.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link; both appear on a check or in your online banking portal.
  • PayPal sends two test deposits to confirm you own the account, and you must log into PayPal and enter those amounts to complete the link.
  • Transfers from PayPal to your bank usually take one to three business days and may have a small fee depending on the transfer speed you choose.
  • Linking a bank account is safer than using a debit card because PayPal doesn't store your full card number.

What information PayPal needs from you

PayPal asks for four pieces of information: your full name, your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). The routing number identifies your specific bank branch. The account number identifies your account within that bank. Both are printed on the bottom of any check you have.

If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number — they will give them to you over the phone.

Do not share these numbers with anyone except PayPal. If someone claiming to be from PayPal asks for them via email or text, it is a scam. PayPal will never ask for this information outside the official PayPal website or app.

The verification process: confirming you own the account

After you enter your bank details, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your account — usually between 1 and 99 cents each. These arrive within one to two business days. Your bank will show them as deposits from PayPal.

Once you see the deposits in your bank account, log back into PayPal and go to your wallet or bank account settings. PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. Type them in correctly, and the link is confirmed. If you enter the wrong amounts, you can try again, but you have a limited number of attempts before PayPal locks you out temporarily.

If the deposits don't arrive after three business days, contact PayPal support. Occasionally a bank blocks the test deposits by mistake, and PayPal can resend them or use an alternative verification method.

Moving money from PayPal to your bank

Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer your PayPal balance to it. Log into PayPal, go to your wallet, and select the option to transfer to your bank (the exact wording varies by device and PayPal version, but it is always in the wallet or money section).

PayPal offers two transfer speeds. Standard transfers take one to three business days and are free. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes but cost a small fee — usually between 25 and 50 cents, though this varies. Choose standard unless you need the money urgently.

Transfers do not process on weekends or bank holidays. If you request a transfer on Friday evening, it will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday. Plan ahead if you need the money by a specific date.

Moving money from your bank to PayPal

You can also transfer money from your linked bank account into PayPal. This is useful if you want to load money into PayPal before making a purchase or sending it to someone. Go to your wallet, select the option to add money, choose your bank account, and enter the amount.

Bank-to-PayPal transfers usually take one to three business days. Unlike transfers out of PayPal, these are always free. The money sits in your PayPal balance until you spend it or transfer it back out.

Security and what happens if something goes wrong

Linking a bank account is safer than using a debit card because PayPal does not store your full account number. If PayPal's systems are breached, hackers cannot use the stored information to withdraw money directly from your bank. Your bank also has fraud protections — if someone makes an unauthorized transfer from your account, you can dispute it and your bank will investigate.

If you notice a transfer you did not make, contact PayPal when ready through the official PayPal website or app, not through a link in an email. PayPal will freeze the account and investigate. At the same time, contact your bank and report the unauthorized transfer. Your bank can reverse it while PayPal investigates.

You can unlink your bank account at any time through your PayPal settings. This does not affect transfers already in progress — they will still arrive. Unlinking straightforward stops PayPal from being able to initiate new transfers to or from that account.

Limits on how much you can transfer

PayPal sets limits on how much you can transfer in a single transaction and over a rolling period. These limits depend on your account history and how long you have used PayPal. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. If you hit a limit, you can still transfer money — you just have to do it in multiple transactions, or wait for the rolling period to reset.

Your bank may also set its own limits on transfers to and from external accounts. Check your bank's website or call customer service to find out what your bank allows. Some banks limit external transfers to a certain number per month or a certain dollar amount per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical — you provide the routing number, account number, and account type, and PayPal sends the two test deposits. Transfers take the same amount of time regardless of account type.

What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?

PayPal will not send the test deposits to the wrong account. If you make a typo, the deposits straightforward will not arrive. After a few days with no deposits, you can delete the link and try again with the correct numbers. There is no penalty for trying again.

Do I have to link a bank account to use PayPal?

No. You can use PayPal with a debit card or credit card instead. However, linking a bank account is safer because PayPal does not store your full card number, and transfers are free. Cards are useful if you do not want to wait for bank transfers or if you prefer not to share your account number.

Can I link more than one bank account?

Yes. You can link multiple accounts from the same bank or different banks. Each one goes through the same verification process with test deposits. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks and want to transfer from whichever one has the money available.

How long does it take to unlink an account?

Unlinking is when ready. Once you confirm the removal in PayPal settings, the link is gone and PayPal cannot initiate new transfers. Any transfers already in progress will still complete. If you want to link the same account again later, you will have to go through the verification process a second time.