Yes, you can link a bank account to PayPal, and most people do
PayPal lets you connect a U.S. bank account, and once it is linked, you can send money to other people, receive payments, and move money between PayPal and your bank. The connection is two-way: money can flow from your bank into PayPal, and from PayPal back to your bank. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to set this up — both are on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank and ask.
Linking takes about five minutes to start, but PayPal will not let you move large amounts of money right away. Instead, PayPal deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within a few business days. You then confirm those amounts in the PayPal app or website, which proves you own the account. Only after that confirmation can you move money freely.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link, both found on the bottom left of your checks or by calling your bank.
- PayPal will deposit two small test amounts into your bank account, which you must confirm in the PayPal app to complete the link.
- Once confirmed, you can send money to other people, receive payments into PayPal, and transfer money back to your bank account.
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank usually take one to three business days, depending on your bank.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account, but you can only transfer to one at a time.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before you open PayPal or log in. You will need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch) and your account number (the number of your checking or savings account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line — the number is on your debit card or bank statement — and ask for both numbers. They can give them to you over the phone in under a minute.
You will also need access to the email address or phone number connected to your PayPal account, because PayPal may ask you to confirm your identity before linking a new bank account. Have your PayPal password ready as well.
The step-by-step process to link your bank account
Log into PayPal on a computer or in the PayPal app. Go to Settings (usually a gear icon), then select Wallet or Banks and Cards — the exact name varies depending on whether you are on the website or app. Click Link a Bank Account or the plus sign next to "Bank Accounts."
PayPal will ask you to choose your bank from a list, or you can search by name. Select your bank, then enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will confirm the account type (checking or savings) — make sure it matches what you entered. Review everything, then click Link Bank Account.
PayPal will tell you that two small deposits are on the way. This usually takes two to four business days. You will see them in your bank account as small charges (often labeled "PayPal" with a reference number). Once they arrive, go back to PayPal, find the linked bank account in your Wallet, and click Confirm or Verify. Enter the two amounts PayPal deposited, and you are done.
Why PayPal uses those two small test deposits
The test deposits prove you own the bank account. Without them, someone could link a bank account that is not theirs, and PayPal would have no way to know. The deposits are PayPal's way of making sure the account belongs to you before letting you move real money.
The amounts are always very small — usually between 10 cents and 99 cents each. You do not need to do anything with the money; you just need to tell PayPal what the amounts were. Some banks charge a small fee for deposits, but most do not charge for deposits under $1.
How long transfers take and where the money goes
Once your bank account is confirmed, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account. This is called a withdrawal. Go to your Wallet, find your bank account, and click Transfer to Bank or Withdraw. Enter the amount and confirm.
The transfer usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank. Some banks are faster than others. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer you start on Friday afternoon might not arrive until Tuesday. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date before you confirm the transfer.
Money transferred to your bank account goes into the same account you linked — you cannot choose a different account after the transfer starts. If you want to move money to a different bank account, you will need to link that account first and go through the verification process again.
Linking multiple bank accounts and switching between them
You can link more than one bank account to the same PayPal account. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks, or if you want to keep a checking account separate from a savings account. To add another account, go back to Wallet or Banks and Cards and click Link a Bank Account again. You will go through the same verification process with the new account's routing and account numbers.
When you transfer money out of PayPal, you choose which linked bank account to send it to. You can change your choice each time you transfer. However, you can only have one account set as your primary account — this is the one PayPal uses if you do not specify which account to use. You can change your primary account anytime in your Wallet settings.
What happens if the verification fails or takes too long
If PayPal cannot find the two test deposits after a week or so, it will ask you to try again or enter the amounts manually. If you entered the wrong routing or account number, the deposits went to the wrong bank, and you will not see them in your account. In that case, you can delete the link and start over with the correct information.
If you are having trouble finding the deposit amounts, log into your bank account online and search your recent transactions for "PayPal." The deposits will show up as small charges with a reference number. Write down both amounts exactly as they appear, including any cents. If you still cannot find them after five business days, contact PayPal's support team — they can see on their end whether the deposits went through.
Security and what to watch for
Linking a bank account is safe as long as you are on the real PayPal website or app. Always make sure you are logged into PayPal directly, not through a link in an email or text message. Scammers sometimes send fake PayPal emails asking you to "confirm your bank account" — these are phishing attempts. PayPal will never ask you to link a bank account through an email link.
Once your bank account is linked, PayPal can only move money out of it if you authorize the transfer yourself. PayPal cannot pull money from your account without your permission. If you ever want to unlink the account, you can delete it from your Wallet anytime, and PayPal will no longer have access to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is exactly the same — you enter the routing number and account number, and PayPal deposits the two test amounts. Some people prefer to use a savings account for security, since they use it less often.
What if my bank is not on the PayPal list?
Most U.S. banks are on the list, but if yours is not, you can usually search for it by name or enter the routing number manually. If PayPal still cannot find your bank, contact your bank's customer service to confirm your routing number is correct, then try again. If the problem continues, PayPal support can help you troubleshoot.
Do I have to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal to receive money from other people without linking a bank account — the money will stay in your PayPal balance. However, you will need a linked bank account if you want to move money out of PayPal and into your bank. You can also link a debit or credit card instead, though transfers to a card work differently than transfers to a bank account.
Can someone else's bank account be linked to my PayPal?
No. The bank account must belong to you, and PayPal verifies this through the two test deposits. If you try to link someone else's account, the verification will fail because you will not be able to confirm the deposit amounts. PayPal's terms of service require that the account holder and the PayPal account owner be the same person.
What if I linked the wrong bank account by mistake?
You can delete the link from your Wallet anytime, even before verification is complete. Go to Wallet, find the account, and click Remove or Delete. Then link the correct account. If you already confirmed the wrong account, you can still delete it and link the right one — there is no penalty for removing a linked account.