Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account

PayPal lets you move money out to a linked bank account in a few different ways, depending on how fast you need it and whether you want to pay a fee. The slowest option is free and takes three to five business days. The fastest option costs money but can land the funds in your account within minutes. Most people use the standard free transfer and wait the few days.

Before you can transfer anything, you need to link a bank account to your PayPal account. This means giving PayPal your routing number and account number — the same information you would give an employer for direct deposit. PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under a dollar each) and asking you to confirm the numbers. Once that is done, you can transfer money whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • You must link your bank account to PayPal first, which takes a few days and involves confirming two small test deposits.
  • Standard transfers are free and take three to five business days to reach your bank account.
  • when ready transfers cost between 1% and 2% of the amount you send, depending on your account type, and arrive within minutes.
  • You can only transfer money you actually have in your PayPal balance — not credit or borrowed funds.
  • Transfers happen on business days only, so a transfer requested on Friday evening will not start until Monday.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Go to your PayPal account settings and find the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section (the exact name changes depending on whether you use PayPal on a phone or computer). Select "Link a Bank Account" and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on the bottom left of any check you have, or by logging into your bank's website.

PayPal will then deposit two small amounts into that account — usually between 1 and 25 cents each. This takes a few days. Once the deposits show up in your bank account, go back to PayPal and enter those two amounts. PayPal confirms the account is yours and unlocks the transfer feature.

If you do not have checks or cannot find your routing number, call your bank's customer service line. They can give you both numbers in under a minute. You do not need to go to a branch.

Standard transfers: free but slower

Once your bank account is linked, you can transfer money for free. Go to your PayPal wallet, select "Transfer Money," choose "Transfer to Your Bank," and enter the amount. PayPal will show you the date the money should arrive — usually three to five business days later.

The transfer happens on the next business day after you request it. If you request a transfer on a Friday, it will not process until Monday, and the money will not arrive until Thursday or Friday of the following week. Weekends and bank holidays add extra days.

This is the option most people choose because it costs nothing. The wait is usually not a problem unless you need the money urgently.

when ready transfers: fast but with a fee

If you need the money right away, PayPal offers when ready transfers to a linked debit card or bank account. The money arrives within minutes instead of days. The cost is between 1% and 2% of the amount you transfer — the exact percentage depends on your account type and your PayPal history.

To use when ready transfer, go to your wallet, select "Transfer Money," choose "when ready Transfer," and pick your linked bank account or debit card. PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm. If you are transferring $100, you might pay $1 to $2 to get it when ready instead of waiting.

when ready transfers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. If you transfer at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, the money will still arrive within minutes.

What you can and cannot transfer

You can only transfer money that is actually sitting in your PayPal balance. If someone sent you money through PayPal, or you sold something and PayPal is holding the payment, that money is in your balance and you can transfer it. If you received money as a loan or advance from PayPal, you cannot transfer that — it has to stay in your account or be used to pay back the loan.

You also cannot transfer money that is on hold. PayPal sometimes holds payments for 24 hours or longer if the transaction looks unusual or if you are a new seller. Once the hold lifts, the money moves to your balance and you can transfer it.

If you have a PayPal Credit account (a line of credit PayPal offers), you cannot transfer borrowed money to your bank. You can only transfer money you have earned or received from other people.

Fees and limits on transfers

Standard transfers are free with no limit on how much you can move. You can transfer $1 or $10,000 in a single transaction. when ready transfers cost 1% to 2% per transaction, and PayPal may limit how much you can transfer when ready based on your account history — new accounts often have lower limits than established ones.

PayPal does not charge a fee to link your bank account, and there is no monthly fee for having a linked account. The only costs are the when ready transfer fee if you choose that option.

What to do if your transfer does not arrive

For standard transfers, check the expected arrival date in your PayPal transaction history. If the money has not arrived by that date, log into your bank account and search for a pending deposit from PayPal. Sometimes banks show deposits as pending for a day or two before they clear.

If the money does not appear in your bank account within seven business days, contact PayPal's customer service. Have your transaction ID ready — you can find it in your PayPal activity. PayPal can see whether the transfer was sent and can help trace where it went if something went wrong.

For when ready transfers, the money should arrive within minutes. If it does not, check that you selected the correct bank account and that the account is still active. If the account was closed or the routing number changed, the transfer may fail and the money will return to your PayPal balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Transfers from PayPal go only to a bank account that is linked to your own PayPal account. To send money to another person's bank account, you would use a different service like Venmo, a wire transfer through your bank, or an ACH transfer. PayPal does let you send money to another person's email address, but they have to claim it and it stays in PayPal unless they transfer it out themselves.

How long does it take to link a bank account?

The linking process itself is when ready — you enter your information right away. But PayPal's verification deposits take two to four business days to show up in your bank account. Once you see them and confirm the amounts, your account is linked and ready to use. Plan for about a week from start to finish.

What happens if I transfer money but then change my mind?

For standard transfers, you can cancel within a few hours if you catch it before the transfer processes. Once it has been sent to your bank, you cannot cancel it through PayPal — you would have to contact your bank. For when ready transfers, the money is already in your bank account within minutes, so cancellation is not possible.

Do I need a certain type of bank account to receive transfers?

No. Any checking or savings account with a routing number and account number will work. You do not need a special account or a minimum balance. Even if your account is at a small local bank or credit union, PayPal can transfer to it as long as it is a U.S. bank account.

Can I transfer money from PayPal if I have a negative balance?

No. If you owe PayPal money — for instance, because a buyer disputed a payment or a refund was issued — you cannot transfer out until the balance is paid. PayPal will hold any incoming money against what you owe.