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

PayPal lets you move money out to a linked bank account, and the process is straightforward once your account is set up. The most common route is a standard transfer, which takes one to three business days and costs nothing. PayPal also offers a faster option called an when ready transfer, which moves money in minutes but charges a small fee — usually around 1% of the amount you're sending, with a minimum fee of 25 cents.

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 so they can verify the account is yours. The verification process typically takes a few days, and PayPal may deposit two small test amounts into your account that you'll need to confirm.

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 around 1% of the amount transferred and arrive within minutes, but are only available if you've linked a debit card in addition to your bank account.
  • You must link and verify your bank account before making any transfer, which involves confirming two small test deposits PayPal sends to your account.
  • Transfers cannot be reversed once they leave PayPal, so double-check your bank account details before confirming.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Start by logging into your PayPal account on their website or app. Go to your account settings — this is usually found under your profile icon or in a menu labeled "Settings" or "Account." Look for a section called "Banks and Cards" or "Linked Accounts."

Click the option to add a bank account. PayPal will ask for your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. You can find both on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling their customer service line. Enter these details carefully, as mistakes will cause the verification to fail.

After you submit this information, PayPal will send two small deposits to your account — usually between 10 cents and a dollar each. This typically takes two to three business days. Once the deposits appear in your bank account, go back to PayPal and confirm the amounts. This confirms that you own the account and that the routing and account numbers are correct.

Making a standard transfer (free, takes 1–3 days)

Once your bank account is verified, transferring money is straightforward. In the PayPal app or website, look for a button or menu option labeled "Transfer Money" or "Withdraw." Select "Transfer to Your Bank."

Enter the amount you want to send. PayPal will show you your available balance — this is the money in your PayPal account that you can actually move. If you have money on hold or pending, it won't be included in this number. Review the amount one more time, then confirm the transfer.

The money will leave your PayPal account right away, but it will take one to three business days to show up in your bank account. The exact timing depends on your bank. Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer you make on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Tuesday.

Using when ready transfer (costs a fee, arrives in minutes)

If you need the money faster, PayPal offers when ready transfers. These move money to your bank account in minutes instead of days, but they cost a fee. The fee is usually around 1% of the amount you're transferring, with a minimum of 25 cents. So if you transfer $100, you'll pay about $1.

To use when ready transfer, you need to have linked a debit card to your PayPal account in addition to your bank account. This is a security measure PayPal uses. If you haven't linked a debit card yet, go to "Banks and Cards" in your account settings and add one.

Once your debit card is linked, the when ready transfer option will appear when you go to withdraw money. Select it, choose your amount, and confirm. The money will be in your bank account within minutes. You'll see the fee deducted from the amount that arrives.

What to do if your transfer doesn't arrive

If you've made a standard transfer and it's been more than three business days, check your bank account first. Sometimes the money arrives but doesn't show up in your balance right away — it may appear as a pending deposit. If you don't see it at all, log back into PayPal and check your transaction history to confirm the transfer went through.

If PayPal shows the transfer was sent but your bank doesn't show it received, contact your bank's customer service. Give them the date and amount of the transfer. They can look into whether the money arrived under a different name or got held up by their fraud detection system. This is rare, but it does happen.

If the transfer shows as failed in PayPal, the money will be returned to your PayPal account automatically. This usually happens because the routing or account number was entered incorrectly. Check your bank account details and try again, or contact PayPal support if you're not sure what went wrong.

Limits on how much you can transfer

PayPal sets limits on how much you can transfer in a single transaction and over a period of time. These limits vary based on how long you've had your account, how much you've transferred before, and whether PayPal has verified your identity. New accounts typically have lower limits than established ones.

You can see your transfer limit by going to your account settings and looking for "Limits" or "Account Limits." If you need to transfer more than your limit allows, you can request an increase. PayPal will review your account and may raise your limit if you've been using the account responsibly.

If you're transferring a very large amount, it's worth contacting PayPal support ahead of time to let them know. This can prevent your transfer from being flagged as suspicious and held up.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, transfers go only to the bank account linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to another person, you can use PayPal's "Send Money" feature to transfer it to their PayPal account or email address, and they can then withdraw it to their own bank account.

What if I linked the wrong bank account by mistake?

You can unlink the incorrect account and link the correct one instead. Go to "Banks and Cards" in your settings and remove the wrong account. Then add the correct one and wait for the verification deposits. Do not attempt to transfer money to the wrong account, as you won't be able to reverse it once it leaves PayPal.

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

Transferring your own money from PayPal to your bank is not a taxable event. However, if the money in your PayPal account came from selling goods or services, that income may be taxable. PayPal will send you a tax form if you meet certain thresholds. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

Why is my transfer taking longer than three days?

Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so transfers made on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday. Some banks also process deposits more slowly than others. If it's been more than three business days and you don't see the money, contact your bank to check if it arrived but hasn't posted to your balance yet.

Can I cancel a transfer after I've sent it?

Once a transfer has been sent from PayPal, you cannot cancel it. The money will arrive in your bank account. If you sent it to the wrong account by mistake, contact your bank when ready — they may be able to recover the funds, but this is not may provide.