Yes, you can withdraw money from PayPal to your bank account
PayPal lets you transfer money from your PayPal balance to a linked bank account. The money goes directly to your checking or savings account, and the process takes a few business days. You'll need to link your bank account to PayPal first, which requires your routing number and account number — the same information you'd give an employer for direct deposit.
The transfer itself is free. PayPal does not charge you to move money out. The only cost comes if you choose a faster transfer option, which some accounts offer for a small fee — but the standard transfer costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take three to five business days.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal using your routing number and account number before you can withdraw.
- PayPal offers an when ready transfer option on some accounts for a fee of around 1% of the amount, if you need the money faster.
- You can only withdraw money that is actually in your PayPal balance — money held for pending transactions or disputes cannot be withdrawn.
- The bank receiving the transfer may take an additional day to show the money in your account, even after PayPal sends it.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to your PayPal account settings and look for the "Wallet" or "Banks and Cards" section. You'll be asked to enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
PayPal will then send two small test deposits to your bank account — usually within one to two business days. These deposits are typically less than a dollar each. Once you see them in your bank account, you'll need to go back to PayPal and confirm the amounts to verify that you own the account. This verification step protects you from someone else linking an account that isn't theirs.
After verification, your bank account is linked and ready to use for withdrawals.
The standard withdrawal process
Once your bank account is linked, go to your PayPal wallet and select "Transfer Money." Choose "Transfer to your bank" and enter the amount you want to move. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date — usually three to five business days from the date you request the transfer.
The money leaves your PayPal balance when ready, but it does not arrive in your bank account right away. Your bank may take an additional one to two business days to process the incoming transfer and make it visible in your account. So the total time from request to money in hand can be up to a week, though it is often faster.
You can request multiple transfers, and you can withdraw your entire PayPal balance if you want to. There is no minimum or maximum amount, though your bank may have its own limits on how much it will accept in a single transfer.
when ready transfers and when they cost money
PayPal offers an when ready transfer option on some accounts. Instead of waiting three to five days, the money can reach your bank account in minutes. This service costs around 1% of the amount you transfer, though the exact percentage varies.
For example, if you transfer $100 when ready, you might pay $1. The fee is deducted from your PayPal balance before the transfer, so you receive slightly less than you requested. Not all PayPal accounts have access to when ready transfers — it depends on your account history and how long you have been using PayPal.
You can check whether when ready transfers are available to you by going to the transfer screen. If the option appears, you can choose it. If it does not appear, only the standard free transfer is available on your account.
Money you cannot withdraw
Your PayPal balance shows the total money in your account, but not all of it may be available to withdraw right now. Money that is on hold — such as funds from a recent sale that PayPal is holding for a set period, or money involved in a dispute or return — cannot be transferred out until the hold is released.
PayPal holds money for different reasons depending on your account type. If you sell items, PayPal may hold the payment for a few days to make sure the transaction is legitimate. If a buyer opens a dispute, that money is frozen until the dispute is resolved. You can see which funds are on hold by looking at your transaction history or your account overview.
If you try to transfer more than your available balance, PayPal will reject the request and tell you how much you can actually withdraw.
What happens if the transfer fails
Transfers occasionally fail because of a mismatch between the bank account information you provided and what your bank has on file. This might happen if you entered a digit wrong, or if you recently changed your account number.
When a transfer fails, the money goes back to your PayPal balance within a few business days. PayPal will send you a notification explaining why it failed. You can then correct the bank account information and try again.
If the same account keeps rejecting transfers, contact your bank to confirm that the routing number and account number are correct. Your bank can also tell you if there are any restrictions on incoming transfers that might be blocking PayPal's deposits.
Transferring to a different bank account
You can link multiple bank accounts to PayPal and choose which one to transfer to each time. To add another account, go to your wallet settings and select "Add Bank Account." Follow the same verification process — PayPal will send test deposits that you'll need to confirm.
Once both accounts are verified, you can pick either one when you request a transfer. This is useful if you have a checking account for everyday spending and a savings account where you want to keep PayPal money separate.
You can also remove a bank account from PayPal at any time. Go to your wallet, find the account you want to remove, and select the delete option. Removing an account does not affect any transfers that are already in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
PayPal's standard transfer takes three to five business days. Your bank may then take another one to two days to process the incoming transfer. Weekends and holidays add extra time. when ready transfers, if available on your account, arrive in minutes to a few hours.
What if I don't have a bank account yet?
You cannot withdraw from PayPal without a linked bank account. If you do not have one, you can open a checking account at most banks or credit unions. Some banks offer accounts specifically for people new to banking, with lower fees and simpler requirements. Once your account is open, you can link it to PayPal and start withdrawing.
Can I withdraw to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only allows you to transfer money to a bank account in your own name. This is a security measure to prevent fraud. If you want to give money to someone else, you can send it to them through PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, and they can withdraw it to their own account.
What if PayPal says my bank account is not verified?
This usually means the test deposits PayPal sent have not been confirmed yet, or the amounts you entered were incorrect. Check your bank account for two small deposits from PayPal, then go back to PayPal and enter the exact amounts. If you cannot find the deposits after a week, contact PayPal support to request new test deposits.
Is there a limit to how much I can withdraw at once?
PayPal does not set a maximum withdrawal amount, but your bank may have limits on how much it will accept in a single incoming transfer. Contact your bank if you are trying to withdraw a large amount and the transfer is rejected. You can also split the withdrawal into multiple transfers if needed.