Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to a checking account linked to your PayPal profile
PayPal lets you move funds to a U.S. bank account in two ways: a standard transfer that takes one to three business days, or an when ready transfer that arrives within 30 minutes. Both require that you have already linked a valid checking or savings account to your PayPal profile and verified it with PayPal. The account must be in your name.
The standard transfer is free. when ready transfers cost 1.75% of the amount you send, with a minimum fee of $0.25 per transfer. If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, you get one free when ready transfer per month; additional when ready transfers in the same month incur the fee.
You cannot transfer to a credit card, money market account, or account held in someone else's name. If your linked account is not yet verified, PayPal will walk you through that process before you can transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers to a linked bank account are free and take one to three business days; when ready transfers cost 1.75% and arrive within 30 minutes.
- Your bank account must be linked to your PayPal profile and verified in your name before you can transfer any funds.
- You can only transfer to a checking or savings account, not to credit cards or accounts held by someone else.
- If your account is not yet linked, you will need your bank routing number and account number to set it up.
- Transfers are processed on business days; transfers initiated on weekends or holidays will process on the next business day.
How to link a bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and select Wallet or Banks and Cards (the exact label depends on your account type). Click Link a Bank Account and enter your bank's name, routing number, and account number. PayPal will then send two small deposits—usually $0.01 and $0.02—to that account over one to two business days.
Once the deposits arrive in your bank account, return to PayPal and confirm the two amounts. This verification step proves you own the account. After confirmation, your account is linked and ready for transfers. If you do not see the deposits after three business days, contact your bank to confirm they were not filtered as spam or held for review.
If you do not know your routing number, you can find it on a check, call your bank, or search your bank's name on the American Bankers Association routing number database. Your account number appears on checks and in your online banking portal.
Steps to transfer money to your checking account
Log into PayPal and go to your Wallet. Click Transfer Money and select Transfer to Your Bank. Enter the amount you want to send. PayPal will show you which linked account the money will go to; if you have multiple accounts linked, you can choose which one receives the transfer.
Choose your transfer speed: Standard Transfer (free, one to three business days) or when ready Transfer (1.75% fee, up to 30 minutes). Review the details and confirm. PayPal will send you a confirmation email with a reference number. You can check the status of your transfer anytime in your transaction history.
Transfers initiated before 11:59 p.m. ET on a business day will process that day. Transfers started on weekends, holidays, or after 11:59 p.m. ET will process on the next business day. Your bank may take an additional one to two business days to post the funds to your account, depending on their processing schedule.
What happens if a transfer fails or gets stuck
A transfer can fail if your linked bank account has been closed, if PayPal detects unusual activity on your account, or if there is a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account. PayPal will send you an email explaining why the transfer failed and what to do next.
If your account name does not match your bank account name exactly, you will need to update one of them. Log into PayPal, go to Settings, and check your legal name under Personal Information. If it is wrong, correct it and try the transfer again. If your bank account has been closed, you will need to link a different account.
If a transfer shows as pending for longer than the promised timeframe, contact PayPal support with your reference number. For when ready transfers, PayPal guarantees the money will arrive within 30 minutes; if it does not, they will refund the 1.75% fee. For standard transfers, contact your bank if more than three business days have passed since PayPal confirmed the transfer.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal does not publish a single transfer limit that applies to all accounts. Your limit depends on your account history, how long you have held the account, and whether PayPal has flagged any suspicious activity. New accounts typically have lower limits than established ones.
To find your transfer limit, log into PayPal and attempt a transfer. PayPal will show you the maximum amount you can send. If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can split the transfer into multiple transactions on different days, or contact PayPal support to request a limit increase. PayPal reviews limit increase requests based on your account age and transaction history.
Some business accounts and accounts with a history of chargebacks or disputes may have restrictions on transfers. If PayPal blocks your transfer, the reason will appear in your account or in an email from PayPal support.
Fees and costs to know about
Standard transfers are free. when ready transfers cost 1.75% of the amount transferred, with a $0.25 minimum fee. If you send $100 via when ready transfer, you pay $1.75. If you send $15, you pay $0.25.
PayPal Cash and PayPal Cash Plus account holders receive one free when ready transfer per month. After that, the 1.75% fee applies to any additional when ready transfers in the same calendar month. The free transfer resets on the first day of each month.
Your bank may charge its own fee for receiving an ACH transfer (the method PayPal uses), though most banks do not. Check your bank's fee schedule or contact them directly if you are unsure. PayPal's fee is separate from any fee your bank might charge.
When transfers do not arrive on time
Standard transfers that do not arrive within three business days are usually delayed by your bank, not PayPal. Banks sometimes hold transfers for review, especially if the amount is large or the receiving account is new. Contact your bank's customer service with your PayPal reference number and ask them to locate the transfer.
when ready transfers that do not arrive within 30 minutes are rare, but they can happen if PayPal's system is experiencing technical issues or if your bank's receiving system is temporarily down. PayPal will refund your 1.75% fee if the transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes. Check your PayPal transaction history to see if a refund has been issued, or contact PayPal support if you do not see one after 24 hours.
If your bank says it never received the transfer, ask PayPal to trace it. PayPal can confirm whether the transfer was sent to the correct routing and account number. If PayPal sent it to the wrong account by mistake, they will work with your bank to recover the funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer PayPal money to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only allows transfers to a bank account that is linked to your own PayPal profile and registered in your name. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's Send Money feature to transfer directly to their PayPal account or email address instead.
What if my bank account is not verified yet?
You cannot transfer until your account is verified. PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account; once they arrive and you confirm the amounts in PayPal, verification is complete. This usually takes one to two business days. If deposits do not arrive after three days, contact your bank to check if they were held or filtered.
Can I transfer money from PayPal to a savings account?
Yes. PayPal allows transfers to both checking and savings accounts. Link your savings account the same way you would a checking account, verify it with the two small deposits, and then select it as the destination for your transfer.
What is the difference between a standard and when ready transfer?
Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days. when ready transfers cost 1.75% and arrive within 30 minutes. Choose standard if you can wait a few days; choose when ready if you need the money right away and the fee is worth it to you.
Do I lose money to fees if I transfer back and forth between PayPal and my bank?
Transferring from PayPal to your bank is free (standard) or costs 1.75% (when ready). Transferring from your bank to PayPal is also free. You only pay a fee when you choose the when ready option for a PayPal-to-bank transfer. Your bank may charge its own fee, but most do not charge for incoming ACH transfers.