Yes, you can send money from PayPal to your bank account
PayPal lets you move money from your PayPal balance to a linked bank account. This is called a transfer, and it's one of the main ways people get cash out of PayPal and into their everyday checking or savings account. The money doesn't arrive when ready — it takes one to three business days, depending on your bank — but it's straightforward once you've connected your account.
The catch is that your bank account has to be linked to PayPal first. You can't send money to a random bank account number. PayPal only transfers to accounts that you've already verified as yours.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your bank account to PayPal and verify it before you can transfer money to it.
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank account take one to three business days and are free if you choose the standard speed.
- PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that costs a small fee and moves money within minutes instead of days.
- You can only transfer money that's sitting in your PayPal balance — money held for disputes or pending sales won't transfer.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on a computer or the PayPal app. Go to your Wallet (on the app) or click the Wallet link at the top of the page. Look for "Link a bank account" or a similar option — the exact wording changes sometimes, but it's always in the account settings area.
PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). You can find these on a check, or call your bank and ask. PayPal will then make two small test deposits into that account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. This is how PayPal confirms the account is really yours.
Once the deposits land (usually within a few days), you'll go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. After you confirm them, your bank account is linked and verified. Now you can transfer money to it.
The two ways to move money: standard and when ready
Standard transfer is free and takes one to three business days. This is the option most people use because there's no fee. The money sits in your PayPal balance until you initiate the transfer, then it moves to your bank account over the next few days. Weekends and bank holidays can add time, so a Friday transfer might not show up until Tuesday.
when ready transfer moves money to your bank account in minutes instead of days, but PayPal charges a small fee — usually between $0.25 and $1.50 per transfer, depending on the amount. This is useful if you need cash right away, but for everyday use, standard transfer saves you money.
Both options require that you have money in your PayPal balance. If you've received a payment or sold something, that money goes into your balance first. You then transfer it out to your bank account.
What money can and can't be transferred
You can only transfer money that's available in your PayPal balance. If you've received a payment that's still pending (PayPal sometimes holds new payments for a few days), you can't transfer it yet. The same goes for money that's on hold because of a dispute or a return — that money is locked until the issue is resolved.
If you've received money as a gift or personal payment from someone else, PayPal may hold it longer than a business payment. Check your Activity page to see which payments are available and which are pending.
What happens if something goes wrong
If you enter the wrong bank account number, PayPal will usually catch it and reject the transfer before it goes through. If a transfer does go to the wrong account by mistake, contact PayPal right away — they can sometimes recover it, but the sooner you report it, the better your chances.
If the transfer reaches your bank but the account is closed or inactive, your bank will send the money back to PayPal. PayPal will then return it to your balance, and you can try again with the correct account information.
If a transfer seems to be taking longer than three business days, log into PayPal and check the status in your Activity or Transaction History. If it shows as completed but hasn't reached your bank, contact your bank directly — sometimes delays happen on their end, not PayPal's.
Transferring money to someone else's bank account
PayPal does not let you transfer your balance directly to another person's bank account. You can only transfer to a bank account that's linked to your own PayPal profile. If you want to send money to someone else, you have two options: send it to their PayPal account (if they have one), or use PayPal's money transfer service, which works differently and may have fees.
For sending money to another person's bank account without them having PayPal, services like Venmo, Square Cash, or your bank's own transfer system are usually simpler and faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money to a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. When you link your bank account, you'll choose whether it's checking or savings. PayPal transfers to both types the same way, and the timing is the same — one to three business days for standard transfer.
What if my bank account is at a credit union?
Credit unions work the same way as banks. You'll need the routing number and account number, and PayPal will make the two test deposits. Some credit unions process transfers slightly slower, so you might see the money take closer to three business days.
Do I have to transfer all my PayPal balance at once?
No. You can transfer any amount you want, as long as it's available in your balance. You could transfer $10 one day and $50 the next. Each transfer is separate and may have its own processing time.
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 one, follow the linking steps above. If you're new to banking, look for a basic checking account at a local bank or credit union — many have low or no monthly fees.
Can I cancel a transfer after I've started it?
If you cancel before it processes, yes — you can cancel a standard transfer within a few hours of starting it, and the money goes back to your PayPal balance. Once it's been processed and sent to your bank, you can't cancel it through PayPal. Contact your bank instead.