Yes, you can send money from PayPal to a bank account, and it's one of the most common ways to move funds out of PayPal
PayPal lets you transfer your balance to a linked U.S. bank account, savings account, or money market account. The transfer goes directly from PayPal to your bank—you don't need to involve the person who sent you the money. The process takes one to three business days, though PayPal sometimes offers an when ready transfer option for an additional fee.
The catch is that your bank account must be verified and linked to your PayPal account first. If you haven't done that yet, you'll need to add it before you can move money out. Once it's linked, the actual transfer is straightforward and costs nothing unless you choose the when ready option.
Key Takeaways
- You can transfer money from PayPal to any U.S. bank account, savings account, or money market account that you own and have verified.
- Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing; when ready transfers are available for a fee that varies based on the amount.
- Your bank account must be linked to your PayPal account before you can transfer funds, which requires you to confirm a small deposit PayPal sends to that account.
- You can only transfer money you actually have in your PayPal balance—you cannot transfer funds from a linked credit card or line of credit through PayPal.
- If your bank account is not verified or has been removed from your PayPal account, you'll need to re-add it and wait for verification before transferring again.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and select "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards," depending on which version of PayPal you're using. Click the option to add a bank account. PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). You can find both numbers on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
After you enter this information, PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank account within one to two business days. You then log back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those deposits. This verification step proves you own the account. Once confirmed, your bank account is linked and ready for transfers.
If you don't see the deposits after three business days, check your bank statement carefully—they may appear under a different name or description. If they still don't show up, contact your bank to confirm the account number and routing number are correct, then try adding the account again in PayPal.
The difference between standard and when ready transfers
A standard transfer takes one to three business days and costs nothing. Your money moves from PayPal to your bank on a normal schedule. This is the default option and works fine if you're not in a rush.
An when ready transfer moves the money to your bank account within 30 minutes, but PayPal charges a fee. The fee is a percentage of the amount you're transferring—it typically ranges from 1% to 1.75%, with a minimum fee of around 25 cents. So if you transfer $100 when ready, you might pay $1 to $1.75. PayPal shows you the exact fee before you confirm the transfer, so you know the cost upfront.
when ready transfers are only available if you've linked a debit card to your PayPal account in addition to your bank account. If you haven't added a debit card, you can only do standard transfers. You can add a debit card in the same "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section where you linked your bank account.
Step-by-step: transferring money to your bank
Log into PayPal and go to your Wallet. Look for a button or link that says "Transfer Money" or "Move Money." Click it and select "Transfer to Your Bank." PayPal will show you your current balance and ask how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount and choose either a standard transfer (free, one to three days) or when ready transfer (fee, within 30 minutes).
Review the details: the amount, the fee (if you chose when ready), and the bank account the money is going to. Make sure the account name matches your PayPal account name. If everything looks correct, confirm the transfer. PayPal will show you a confirmation number and an estimated arrival date.
You can check the status of your transfer by going to your Activity or Transaction History in PayPal. Once the transfer completes, the money appears in your bank account. If it doesn't arrive by the date PayPal gave you, contact PayPal support with your confirmation number.
What happens if your bank account is no longer linked
If you removed your bank account from PayPal, or if PayPal removed it (usually because of failed verification or suspicious activity), you'll need to add it again before you can transfer money. The process is the same as linking it the first time: enter your routing and account numbers, wait for the verification deposits, and confirm the amounts.
If PayPal removed your account, there's usually a reason—a mismatch between the account holder's name and your PayPal name, repeated failed transfers, or a security flag. Before you re-add the account, make sure the name on your bank account matches the name on your PayPal account exactly. If they don't match, update your PayPal name first, then try linking the bank account again.
If you're having trouble getting the verification deposits to show up, contact your bank and ask them to confirm they received transfers from PayPal. Some banks hold or delay small deposits, or they may appear under a different description. Your bank can tell you if the deposits arrived and when.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal doesn't publish a single transfer limit that applies to everyone—limits depend on your account history, how long you've been a customer, and whether you've had any disputes or chargebacks. A new account might have a lower limit than an established one. You can only transfer money that's actually in your PayPal balance; you cannot transfer funds from a linked credit card or PayPal Credit line.
If you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you the maximum amount you can move at that time. If you need to transfer a larger amount, you can do multiple transfers over time, or you can contact PayPal support to ask about increasing your limit. PayPal may ask for additional verification, such as a photo ID or proof of address, before they raise your limit.
Your bank may also have its own limits on how much money it will accept in a single deposit. This is rare, but if you're transferring a very large amount, it's worth calling your bank first to make sure they won't hold or reject the deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for the money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfers usually arrive within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Tuesday. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes on business days during PayPal's operating hours. If your transfer doesn't arrive by the date PayPal promised, contact PayPal support with your confirmation number.
Can I transfer to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only lets you transfer money to a bank account that's linked to your own PayPal account and registered in your name. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature to transfer it to their PayPal account or email address instead.
What if I don't have a bank account yet?
You'll need to open a bank account before you can transfer money out of PayPal. Once you have an account, link it to PayPal and wait for verification. If you're looking for a bank account quickly, many banks and credit unions offer online accounts that you can open in minutes.
Can I cancel a transfer after I've started it?
If you started a standard transfer, you can usually cancel it within a few hours, before PayPal processes it. when ready transfers cannot be canceled once they've been sent. Log into PayPal, go to your Activity, find the transfer, and look for a "Cancel" option. If you don't see one, the transfer has already been processed and you'll need to contact PayPal support.
What if the transfer fails?
If PayPal can't complete the transfer, they'll send you a notification explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between your name and the bank account name, an incorrect routing number, or your bank rejecting the deposit. Fix the issue (usually by updating your bank account information in PayPal) and try again. If the problem persists, contact your bank to confirm your routing and account numbers are correct.