Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to a bank account linked to your PayPal account

PayPal lets you move funds to a checking or savings account you've connected to your PayPal wallet. The money doesn't move when ready — it takes one to three business days for the transfer to complete, depending on your bank and which transfer method you choose. PayPal offers two main routes: a standard transfer (free, slower) and an when ready transfer (costs a small fee, arrives within minutes).

The account you're transferring to must be in your name and already linked to your PayPal account. You can't transfer to someone else's bank account directly through PayPal, and you can't transfer to a prepaid card or money market account — only to a standard checking or savings account.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers from PayPal to a linked bank account are free and take one to three business days.
  • when ready transfers arrive within minutes but cost a percentage of the amount you're sending (typically 1.75% of the transfer).
  • Your bank account must be in your name and already verified in your PayPal account before you can transfer to it.
  • Weekend and holiday transfers may take longer because banks don't process payments on those days.
  • You can only transfer money you actually have in your PayPal balance — not credit or pending funds.

How to link a bank account to PayPal before you transfer

Before you can move money out, PayPal needs to confirm the account is yours. Go to your PayPal account settings, find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name varies by whether you're on mobile or desktop), and select "Link a Bank Account." PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number — you can find both on a check or by logging into your bank's website.

PayPal then sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to that account. Your bank will show these deposits within one to two business days. Once you see them, go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts to confirm you own the account. After confirmation, the account is ready to receive transfers.

If you've already linked an account and just need to transfer, skip this step and go straight to initiating the transfer in your PayPal wallet.

Standard transfer: free but slower

A standard transfer costs nothing and is the default option when you request a withdrawal. PayPal sends the money to your bank, and your bank processes it on their schedule. Most banks post the transfer within one to three business days, though some take longer depending on the time you initiated it.

If you request a transfer on a Friday afternoon, your bank may not process it until Monday or Tuesday because banks don't move money on weekends. If you request it on a holiday, the clock doesn't start until the next business day. This is why timing matters: a transfer requested on a Thursday morning usually lands by Friday or Monday, but one requested Friday evening might not land until Wednesday.

Standard transfers work well if you're not in a hurry and want to avoid fees. They're also the only option if you're transferring a large amount — PayPal caps when ready transfers at $25,000 per transaction.

when ready transfer: fast but costs a fee

when ready transfer moves money from PayPal to your bank account within minutes, not days. The fee is a percentage of the amount you're transferring — PayPal typically charges 1.75% of the transfer amount, though this can vary. On a $100 transfer, you'd pay $1.75. On a $1,000 transfer, you'd pay $17.50.

Not all banks support when ready transfer. PayPal's system works with most major U.S. banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and hundreds of regional banks), but some smaller banks or credit unions may not be included. When you go to transfer, PayPal will tell you whether your bank is may be able to access. If it's not, you'll only see the standard transfer option.

when ready transfer also has a $25,000 per-transaction limit, and you can only use it if your PayPal account is in good standing (no disputes, no violations of PayPal's user agreement).

What money can and cannot be transferred

You can only transfer money that's actually in your PayPal balance right now. If you received a payment that's still pending (PayPal sometimes holds new payments for a few days), you can't transfer it yet. If you have a PayPal credit line or PayPal Working Capital loan, those funds are separate and don't transfer to your bank — they stay in PayPal for purchases only.

Money from sales, invoices, transfers from other people, or refunds you received can all be transferred once they're in your main balance. If you're unsure whether a specific payment is available, check your PayPal activity — it will show "pending" or "completed" next to each transaction.

Fees and limits on transfers

Standard transfers are always free. when ready transfers cost 1.75% of the amount (this percentage can change, so check PayPal's current rates when you initiate the transfer). Both methods have a $25,000 per-transaction limit, though you can make multiple transfers in a single day if you need to move more than that.

PayPal doesn't charge a fee to receive money into your account, but your bank might charge a fee for receiving external transfers — this is rare with major banks but possible with some credit unions or smaller institutions. Check your bank's fee schedule if you're unsure.

There's no daily or monthly limit on how many transfers you can make, only the per-transaction cap of $25,000.

What happens if the transfer fails or takes longer than expected

If you initiated a standard transfer and it hasn't arrived after three business days, log into PayPal and check the transaction status. PayPal will show whether it's still processing, completed, or failed. If it failed, PayPal usually explains why — often because the bank account information was incorrect or your bank rejected it for some reason.

If a transfer failed, the money goes back to your PayPal balance within one to three business days. You can then try again, either with the same account (if you've corrected the information) or with a different linked account.

when ready transfers that fail are refunded to your PayPal balance when ready, and you're not charged the fee. If an when ready transfer shows as completed in PayPal but hasn't appeared in your bank account after 30 minutes, contact PayPal support — this is rare, but they can investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer PayPal money to someone else's bank account?

No. PayPal transfers only go to a bank account in your own name that you've already linked to your PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, which lets you transfer to their PayPal account or email address.

Why is my bank account not showing up as an option to transfer to?

The account may not be fully verified yet — PayPal needs to confirm those two small deposits before the account is active for transfers. If you linked it recently, wait one to two business days and check again. If it's been longer than that, the account information may be incorrect. Try unlinking it and linking it again with your routing and account numbers.

Does PayPal charge a fee for standard transfers?

No, standard transfers are free. You only pay a fee if you choose when ready transfer, which costs 1.75% of the amount you're moving.

How long does a transfer take on weekends or holidays?

Banks don't process transfers on weekends or federal holidays. A transfer requested on Saturday won't start processing until Monday. One requested on Friday evening might not land until Wednesday if Monday is a holiday.

Can I transfer money if my PayPal account is limited or under review?

No. If PayPal has limited your account due to a dispute, violation, or security concern, you won't be able to transfer money out until the issue is resolved. Contact PayPal support to find out what's needed to restore full access.