Yes, you can use your bank account to pay through PayPal
You can link your bank account directly to PayPal and use it to send money, pay for purchases, or add funds to your PayPal balance. When you link your account, PayPal transfers small test deposits to verify ownership — this is normal and takes a few days. Once verified, you can choose your bank account as the payment method whenever you pay through PayPal, either online or on your phone.
The process is straightforward: you provide your routing number and account number (the same information on the bottom left of your checks), and PayPal confirms the account is yours before you can use it. You do not need to keep a PayPal balance or transfer money in advance — PayPal pulls directly from your checking account when you make a payment.
Key Takeaways
- Linking your bank account to PayPal requires your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your account to confirm you own it, and you must enter the amounts to complete the link.
- Once linked, your bank account appears as a payment option whenever you pay through PayPal, and the money comes directly from your checking account.
- You can unlink your account at any time through PayPal's settings, and linking does not affect your bank account's security or require you to share your password.
What information PayPal needs from you
To link your bank account, you will need your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is unique to your checking account at that bank. Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have — the routing number comes first, then your account number.
If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display this information in the account details or settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers. PayPal will ask for this information in the "Link a Bank Account" section of your settings.
How the verification process works
After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive within a few business days and appear in your checking account like any other deposit. This is PayPal's way of confirming that you own the account and have access to it.
Once the deposits land in your account, you log back into PayPal and enter the two amounts you received. PayPal then confirms the account is yours and removes those test deposits. The whole process typically takes three to five business days. Until you complete this step, your bank account will not be available as a payment method, but you can start the linking process anytime.
Using your bank account to pay on PayPal
Once your account is linked and verified, you will see it listed as a payment option whenever you pay through PayPal — whether you are paying for an online purchase, sending money to a friend, or paying a bill. At checkout or during a payment, you straightforward select your bank account from the list of available payment methods, and PayPal pulls the money directly from your checking account.
The payment goes through when ready in most cases, though it may take one to three business days to actually leave your bank account depending on your bank's processing speed. You do not need to maintain a PayPal balance or transfer money in advance — PayPal handles the transfer from your bank when you authorize the payment.
Security and what PayPal can and cannot access
Linking your bank account to PayPal does not give PayPal access to your full banking information or the ability to see your balance and transaction history. PayPal only sees the routing and account numbers you provide, and uses them only to pull money when you authorize a payment. You do not share your online banking password, PIN, or any other sensitive information.
Your bank account remains under your control. If you notice an unauthorized charge, you can dispute it with your bank the same way you would dispute any other transaction. You can also unlink your account from PayPal at any time through your PayPal settings — this does not affect your bank account or require you to contact your bank. Once unlinked, PayPal can no longer pull money from that account.
What to do if verification deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the two test deposits in your account after five business days, the routing or account number you entered may be incorrect. Check your check or your bank's website to confirm both numbers are accurate, then try linking again with the correct information. If you entered the numbers correctly and still do not see deposits, contact your bank's customer service — sometimes banks delay small deposits or flag them as suspicious.
You can also contact PayPal's support team through your account settings and explain that you have not received the verification deposits. PayPal can sometimes resend them or offer an alternative verification method, though this is less common. Do not attempt to link the same account multiple times in a short period, as this can trigger your bank's fraud detection and delay the deposits further.
Removing your bank account from PayPal
If you want to stop using your bank account with PayPal, you can unlink it anytime through your account settings. Go to your PayPal wallet, find the linked bank account, and select the option to remove or unlink it. This takes effect when ready, and PayPal will no longer be able to pull money from that account. You do not need to contact your bank or take any action on their end.
If you have a pending payment that uses that bank account, you should wait for it to complete before unlinking. Once unlinked, if a payment is still processing, it may fail or be delayed. You can always link the same account again later if you change your mind — you will need to go through the verification process again with the test deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes, you can link a savings account to PayPal. The process is identical — you provide the routing number and account number for your savings account, and PayPal sends the verification deposits there. However, most people use checking accounts because transfers are faster and you typically have more frequent access to the funds.
What if I enter the wrong routing or account number?
If you make a mistake, the verification deposits will go to the wrong account or not arrive at all. You will not be able to complete the verification. straightforward start over and link the account again with the correct numbers. There is no penalty for trying multiple times, but wait a few days between attempts to avoid triggering your bank's fraud alerts.
Does linking my bank account cost money?
No. Linking your bank account to PayPal is free. PayPal does not charge a fee for the link itself. However, PayPal may charge a fee depending on what you use the account for — for example, sending money to friends may be free, but paying for goods or services may have a small fee. Check PayPal's fee schedule for your specific transaction type.
Can someone else use my linked bank account if they have my PayPal password?
If someone gains access to your PayPal account, they could potentially use your linked bank account to make payments. This is why it is important to use a strong, unique password for PayPal and enable two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone). If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password when ready and contact PayPal support.
How long does it take for money to leave my bank account after I pay?
The payment is authorized when ready when you click "pay," but it typically takes one to three business days for the money to actually leave your checking account, depending on your bank's processing speed. During this time, the funds are reserved and you should not spend them. Your bank account statement will show the transaction once it completes.