Yes, you can send money from PayPal to someone else's bank account
PayPal lets you transfer money directly to another person's bank account through a feature called PayPal Money Transfer. The recipient does not need a PayPal account. The money goes from your PayPal balance to their bank account at the financial institution they specify.
The process takes a few steps and involves timing you should know about. Standard transfers take one to three business days. Faster options exist but cost more. The amount you can send depends on your account history and whether PayPal has verified your identity.
This is different from sending money to someone's PayPal account, which is faster and often free. It is also different from using PayPal's debit card or linked bank account to pay bills directly. This feature is specifically for moving money out of PayPal into someone else's actual bank account.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal Money Transfer sends money from your PayPal balance to another person's bank account without requiring them to have a PayPal account.
- Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost between $0.99 and $2.00 depending on the amount; when ready transfers cost $0.25 and arrive within 30 minutes.
- You need the recipient's full name, routing number, and account number, and they must have a U.S. bank account for this feature to work.
- PayPal limits how much you can transfer based on your account age and verification status, typically starting at $500 per transaction for newer accounts.
How to set up a bank transfer from PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or app. Look for the "Send Money" button or link, usually on the home page or in the main menu. Select "Send Money to Friends and Family" or "Send Money" depending on your version of PayPal.
Enter the recipient's email address or phone number if they have a PayPal account, or select the option to send to a bank account instead. You will then be asked for the recipient's full legal name, their bank's routing number, and their account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies their bank; the account number is unique to their account at that bank.
Enter the amount you want to send and a note explaining why (optional but helpful). Review the details, confirm the transfer fee, and submit. PayPal will show you a confirmation number when ready.
Timing and costs for different transfer speeds
PayPal offers two main transfer speeds, each with different costs and arrival times. Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost $0.99 for amounts under $10, $1.99 for $10 to $100, and $2.00 for amounts over $100. This is the cheapest option if you are not in a hurry.
when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes and cost a flat $0.25 per transfer, regardless of amount. This option is faster but only works if the recipient's bank is in PayPal's network of participating institutions. If their bank is not on the list, PayPal will tell you before you confirm the transfer and offer the standard option instead.
Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. If you send money on a Friday evening, the clock does not start until Monday morning. If the recipient's bank is closed on a particular day, the transfer may arrive the next business day instead.
What information you need from the recipient
Before you can send money to someone's bank account, you need four pieces of information: their full legal name (as it appears on their bank account), their bank's routing number, their account number, and confirmation that the account is in the United States.
The routing number is the easiest to find. The recipient can check their checks, which print the routing number on the bottom left. They can also call their bank or log into their online banking and look for it in account details. The account number is usually printed on the checks as well, or visible in online banking.
The name must match exactly what the bank has on file. If there is a middle initial or suffix, include it. Mismatches can cause the transfer to fail or be delayed while the bank verifies the account holder's identity.
PayPal does not currently support transfers to accounts outside the United States, even if the recipient is a U.S. citizen with a foreign bank account.
Limits on how much you can send
PayPal sets transfer limits based on your account history, verification status, and how long you have been a customer. New accounts typically start with a limit of $500 per transaction. As your account ages and you complete more transfers, PayPal usually raises this limit.
There is also a weekly or monthly limit on total transfers, though the exact amount varies. You can check your current limit by starting a transfer and looking at the maximum amount PayPal allows you to enter. If you hit your limit, you can wait for it to reset or contact PayPal Support to request a higher limit if your account is in good standing.
Limits are different from holds. PayPal may place a temporary hold on a transfer if it looks unusual — for example, if you suddenly send a much larger amount than you normally do, or if you send to a new recipient. The hold usually lasts a few hours to a few days while PayPal reviews the transaction.
What happens if the transfer fails or the account information is wrong
If the routing number or account number is incorrect, the transfer will usually fail before it leaves PayPal. PayPal will notify you and ask you to correct the information. You can then resubmit with the right details.
If the name does not match the account exactly, the bank may reject the transfer. The money will return to your PayPal account within one to three business days. When it returns, you can try again with the correct name or contact the recipient to confirm the exact spelling and format their bank uses.
If a transfer is rejected for any reason, PayPal refunds the transfer fee. You are not charged twice. If the money sits in limbo for more than a few days, contact PayPal Support with your confirmation number and the details of the transfer.
Alternatives if the recipient does not want to give bank details
If the recipient is uncomfortable sharing their routing and account numbers, they have other options. They can create a PayPal account and you can send money to their PayPal email address instead. Transfers between PayPal accounts are often free and arrive within minutes.
Another option is a PayPal.Me link. You create a personalized link (like paypal.me/yourname) and share it with the recipient. They can click the link and send you money, or you can use it to request money from them. This avoids sharing bank details in either direction.
If the recipient needs cash when ready, they could also ask you to send money to a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, which comes with a debit card. They can then withdraw cash at an ATM or use the card to spend the money directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the recipient to have a PayPal account?
No. PayPal Money Transfer works to any U.S. bank account, whether or not the recipient uses PayPal. They just need to give you their routing number and account number so PayPal can direct the money to the right place.
What if I send money to the wrong account by mistake?
Once a transfer leaves PayPal and arrives at the bank, PayPal cannot reverse it. You would need to contact the recipient or their bank directly to ask for the money back. This is why it is important to double-check the routing number and account number before you confirm.
Can I send money to a savings account or only a checking account?
You can send to either. PayPal transfers work with checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. The routing number and account number work the same way regardless of account type.
Is there a limit to how many transfers I can make in one day?
PayPal does not publish a specific daily limit, but repeated transfers in a short time may trigger a review. If you need to send large amounts regularly, contact PayPal Support to discuss your account and any limits that explore.
What if the recipient's bank is not in PayPal's when ready transfer network?
PayPal will tell you before you complete the transfer whether when ready transfer is available for that bank. If it is not, you can choose the standard transfer option instead, which takes one to three business days and costs less.