Yes, you can pay with your bank account on PayPal, but the connection takes a few days to set up
PayPal lets you link a checking or savings account and use it to send money, pay for purchases, or transfer funds out. The process is straightforward: you add your bank details to your PayPal account, PayPal deposits two small amounts to verify you own the account, you confirm those amounts, and then the account is active. The whole verification step usually takes three to five business days.
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can choose it as your payment method whenever you pay someone or make a purchase through PayPal. You can also use it to fund transfers to other people's PayPal accounts or to withdraw money from PayPal back into your bank.
Key Takeaways
- Linking a bank account to PayPal requires you to confirm two small deposits PayPal makes to your account, which takes three to five business days.
- Once verified, your bank account becomes a payment option you can select at checkout or when sending money through PayPal.
- PayPal pulls money directly from your bank when you use it to pay, so funds must be available in your account at the time of the transaction.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but each one must go through the verification process separately.
How to add a bank account to PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to your wallet or account settings—the exact location varies slightly between the app and website, but look for a section labeled "Wallet," "Payment Methods," or "Linked Accounts." Select the option to add a new payment method and choose "Bank Account."
Enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or log into your bank's website to locate them. PayPal will ask whether the account is checking or savings, and whether it is in your name alone or a joint account. Be accurate here—PayPal matches the name on the account to the name on your PayPal profile.
After you submit this information, PayPal will send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to your bank account. This normally happens within one to two business days. Once the deposits appear in your bank account, you return to PayPal and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. PayPal confirms the match, and your account is verified.
When PayPal pulls money from your bank account
When you choose your bank account as the payment method at checkout or when sending money, PayPal initiates an electronic transfer from your bank. The money does not leave your account when ready—the transfer takes one to three business days to complete, depending on your bank and the time of day you made the transaction.
During that window, the funds are in transit. Your bank may show the transaction as pending, or it may deduct the amount from your available balance when ready while the transfer processes. This varies by bank. The important thing to know is that you need the money in your account when you authorize the payment, not when it actually clears.
If you do not have sufficient funds when PayPal tries to pull the money, the transaction will fail. PayPal may retry the transfer once or twice, but if it continues to fail, the payment or transfer will be cancelled and the recipient will be notified.
Linking multiple bank accounts
You can add more than one bank account to your PayPal account. Each account must be verified separately using the two-deposit method. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to keep business and personal accounts separate within PayPal.
When you pay or transfer money, you can choose which linked bank account to use. PayPal will remember your most recent choice, but you can change it for each transaction. If you remove a bank account from PayPal, any scheduled or pending transfers from that account will be cancelled.
What happens if verification fails
If the two deposits do not appear in your bank account within five to seven business days, PayPal will cancel the verification attempt. This can happen if you entered the routing number or account number incorrectly, or if your bank rejected the deposits for some reason.
If this occurs, you can try adding the account again. Double-check the routing number and account number against a check or your bank's website before re-entering them. If the problem persists, contact your bank to ask whether they have any restrictions on PayPal deposits, or contact PayPal support to troubleshoot further.
Bank account versus other PayPal payment methods
PayPal offers several ways to pay: linked bank accounts, debit cards, credit cards, and PayPal balance (money sitting in your PayPal account). Each has different timing and fees. A bank account transfer is usually free when you send money to another person, but some merchants may charge a fee if you use it for purchases. Credit and debit cards often carry higher fees for person-to-person transfers.
If you have money already in your PayPal balance, using that is usually when ready and free. But if you are paying someone and do not have a PayPal balance, linking a bank account is often the cheapest option. Check the fee breakdown at checkout—PayPal shows you the cost before you confirm the payment.
Security and what PayPal can see
When you link a bank account, PayPal does not store your full account number. It encrypts and tokenizes the information, meaning PayPal keeps a find reference to your account rather than the actual number. When you authorize a payment, PayPal sends an instruction to your bank to transfer money, but your bank handles the actual debit.
You can unlink a bank account at any time from your PayPal settings. Once unlinked, PayPal cannot initiate transfers from that account, though any transfers already in progress will complete. If your bank account is compromised or you suspect fraud, remove it from PayPal when ready and contact your bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to verify a bank account on PayPal?
The two small deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once you see them in your bank account and enter the amounts into PayPal, verification is when ready. Total time is typically three to five business days from when you first add the account.
Can I use a joint bank account with PayPal?
Yes, but the name on the PayPal account must match one of the names on the joint account. PayPal verifies the account holder's name during the linking process, so if your PayPal name does not match the account, verification will fail.
What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?
PayPal will send the two verification deposits to the wrong account, and they will not appear in your account. After five to seven days, PayPal will cancel the verification. You can try again with the correct numbers. Check your bank statement or your bank's website to confirm the correct routing and account numbers before re-entering them.
Does PayPal charge a fee to pay with my bank account?
PayPal does not charge a fee when you send money to another person using a linked bank account. However, some merchants may charge a fee for purchases made with a bank account instead of a card. Always check the fee disclosure at checkout before you confirm the payment.
Can I set a bank account as my default payment method?
Yes. In your PayPal settings under "Payment Methods" or "Wallet," you can choose which linked account is your default. PayPal will use it automatically at checkout unless you change it for a specific transaction.