Yes, you can send money from PayPal to your bank account in a few different ways

PayPal lets you move money out of your PayPal balance and into a linked bank account. The most common way is called a transfer, which moves money from your PayPal balance directly to your checking or savings account. You can also use a feature called when ready Transfer if you want the money faster, though it costs a small fee. A third option is to use a PayPal debit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, which bypasses the bank account entirely.

The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the money and whether you want to pay a fee. Standard transfers are free but take a few business days. when ready transfers arrive within minutes but cost between $0.25 and $2, depending on the amount. ATM withdrawals are also fast and free if you use an in-network ATM, but limited to the cash you can carry.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to three business days to arrive.
  • when ready transfers cost a fee ($0.25 to $2) but move money to your bank account within minutes.
  • You must link a bank account to PayPal before you can transfer money, which requires your account number and routing number.
  • PayPal holds some transfers for review if the account is new or the transfer is unusually large, which can delay the money by several days.
  • You can also withdraw cash from an ATM using a PayPal debit card instead of transferring to a bank account.

How to link a bank account to PayPal

Before you can transfer money out, you need to tell PayPal which bank account to send it to. Log into your PayPal account on the website or app and go to the Wallet section. Look for the option to add a bank account or card. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account number, and your routing number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank; you can find it on the bottom left of any check, or call your bank and ask.

After you enter this information, PayPal will make two small deposits into your account — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — within one to two business days. You then log back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of these deposits. This confirms that you own the account. Once confirmed, your bank account is linked and ready to use.

Standard transfers: free but slower

A standard transfer moves money from your PayPal balance to your bank account at no cost. Go to your Wallet, select your linked bank account, and choose how much to transfer. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date, which is usually one to three business days away. The money lands in your account as a regular deposit from PayPal.

Standard transfers work well if you are not in a rush and want to avoid fees. The trade-off is that you have to wait. Weekends and bank holidays add extra days — if you transfer on a Friday afternoon, the money may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.

when ready transfers: fast but with a fee

If you need the money right away, PayPal offers when ready Transfer. The money arrives in your bank account within minutes instead of days. The cost is a flat fee that PayPal shows you before you confirm — it ranges from $0.25 for small amounts up to $2 for larger transfers. The exact fee depends on how much you are sending.

when ready Transfer is useful when you need cash urgently — to pay a bill that is due today, for example, or to cover an unexpected expense. It is not worth the fee for routine transfers, but it can save you if timing matters. Not all bank accounts may have access to for when ready Transfer; PayPal will tell you whether yours does when you try to use it.

When PayPal holds a transfer for review

Sometimes PayPal will not let your transfer go through right away. Instead, it holds the money and says it is under review. This happens most often when your account is brand new, when you are transferring an unusually large amount, or when PayPal detects something that looks unusual about the transaction. During the review, your money stays in your PayPal balance and does not move to your bank account.

A review can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. PayPal will send you an email explaining what it needs from you — usually just confirmation that the transfer is legitimate. You may have to answer questions about where the money came from or why you are moving it. Once PayPal is satisfied, the transfer goes through. If you are in a hurry, call PayPal's customer service number on your account statement; they can sometimes speed up the review.

Using a PayPal debit card instead

If you do not want to transfer to a bank account, you can request a PayPal debit card. This card draws directly from your PayPal balance. You can use it to buy things in stores or online, or you can withdraw cash from any ATM that accepts Visa (which is most of them). Withdrawals from in-network ATMs are free; out-of-network ATMs may charge a fee.

A debit card is useful if you want to spend your PayPal money without moving it to a bank account first. It also gives you a backup way to access your cash if you are having trouble with transfers. The downside is that you have to wait for the card to arrive in the mail, and you can only withdraw as much cash as you are carrying at any moment.

What to do if a transfer fails

Occasionally a transfer will fail — the money will not go through and will return to your PayPal balance. This usually happens because the bank account information is wrong, the account is closed, or the bank rejected the transfer for a security reason. PayPal will send you a notification explaining why the transfer failed.

Check that your account number and routing number are correct. If they are, contact your bank and ask whether they rejected the transfer. Some banks block transfers from services they do not recognize, or they flag transfers that are larger than usual. Your bank can tell you what happened and whether you need to do anything on their end to allow future transfers. Once the issue is fixed, try the transfer again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a standard transfer actually take?

One to three business days is the standard window. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer sent on Friday may not arrive until Wednesday. Some banks are slower than others, so your specific bank may take longer than three days in rare cases.

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

No. Transfers from PayPal go only to a bank account that is linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to another person, use PayPal's send money feature, which moves funds between PayPal accounts or to their email address. That person can then transfer the money to their own bank account if they want.

What is the maximum amount I can transfer?

PayPal does not publish a single maximum transfer amount. Limits depend on your account age, history, and the specific bank you are transferring to. New accounts have lower limits than established ones. If you hit a limit, PayPal will tell you when you try to transfer. You can contact PayPal to request a higher limit once your account has been active for a while.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I transfer to my bank account?

Transferring your own money to your own bank account is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income may be taxable. The transfer itself does not create a tax bill, but the original income does. Keep records of where the money came from.

Can I set up automatic transfers?

PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers. You have to initiate each transfer manually. However, you can set up a transfer whenever you want — there is no limit on how often you transfer, as long as you have money in your PayPal balance to move.