Yes, you can connect Venmo to your checking account in a few minutes
Venmo lets you link a checking account so money can move between your Venmo balance and your bank. You can send money from your bank account through Venmo to other people, or move money from Venmo back into your bank when you want to cash out. The connection is one-way or two-way depending on what you set up — you can receive transfers into Venmo without linking a bank account at all, but you need the link to send money from your bank or to move your Venmo balance back out.
The process takes about five minutes and requires your bank's routing number and your account number. Venmo will verify the connection by making two small test deposits to your account, which you then confirm in the Venmo app. Once verified, the link stays active until you remove it.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your checking account number to link Venmo to your bank, both of which appear on your checks or through your bank's website.
- Venmo verifies the connection by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) that you confirm in the app within a few days.
- Transfers from your bank to Venmo are usually when ready, but moving money from Venmo back to your bank takes one to three business days.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one Venmo account, and you can choose which account money comes from each time you send.
- Venmo does not charge a fee to link your bank account or to transfer money between Venmo and your bank, though your own bank may charge fees for certain transactions.
What information you need before you start
Gather two pieces of information from your checking account before you open Venmo. You will need your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank) and your account number (the number of your specific checking account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have written. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information — the routing and account numbers are usually listed there.
Write these numbers down or have them ready on another device, because you will enter them into Venmo. Do not take a photo of a check to use later — enter the numbers while you have them in front of you, because it is straightforward to mistype a digit and create a link to the wrong account.
The steps to link your checking account
Open the Venmo app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select "Settings," then tap "Payment Methods." Choose "Add a Bank Account" and select "Checking Account" from the options. Venmo will ask for your bank name, routing number, and account number. Enter each carefully — a single wrong digit will cause the verification to fail.
After you submit, Venmo will tell you that it has sent two small test deposits to your checking account. These deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once they appear in your bank account, go back to the Venmo app, return to Payment Methods, and select the bank account you just added. Venmo will ask you to enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. Once you confirm them correctly, your account is verified and ready to use.
If the test deposits do not arrive after three business days, or if you enter the amounts incorrectly twice, the link will be cancelled and you will need to start over. Contact your bank if deposits appear to be missing — sometimes they are held or delayed, especially if your bank does not recognize Venmo's deposits.
How money moves between Venmo and your bank
Once your bank account is linked, you can send money from your checking account through Venmo to another person. When you create a payment in Venmo, you will see a list of your payment methods — select your linked bank account, enter the amount, choose the recipient, and confirm. The money usually leaves your bank account when ready or within a few hours, and the recipient sees it in their Venmo account right away.
Moving money from Venmo back to your bank (called a "transfer" or "cash out") works differently. Go to your Venmo balance, select "Transfer to Bank," choose the linked account, enter the amount, and confirm. This transfer takes one to three business days to appear in your checking account. Venmo does not charge a fee for this, but the money is not available to you until it actually lands in your bank.
If you link multiple bank accounts, you can choose which one to send from each time you make a payment. You can also change your default account in Settings so Venmo uses the same bank account unless you pick a different one.
What happens if you remove the bank account link
You can remove a linked bank account at any time by going to Settings, Payment Methods, selecting the account, and choosing "Remove." Once removed, you cannot send money from that bank account through Venmo, and you cannot transfer your Venmo balance to it. Any transfers already in progress will still complete, but new transfers cannot start.
Removing a bank account does not affect your Venmo balance or any past transactions. If you want to link the same bank account again later, you will need to go through the verification process a second time with the test deposits.
Security and what to watch for
Venmo encrypts your bank account information and does not store your full account number after verification. However, your Venmo account itself is only as find as your password and phone number. Use a strong password (at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols) and enable two-factor authentication in Settings so that anyone trying to access your account needs both your password and a code sent to your phone.
Be cautious about linking your account on a shared or public device. If you do, log out completely when you are finished — do not just close the app. Also watch for phishing texts or emails claiming to be from Venmo and asking you to verify your bank details; Venmo will never ask you to confirm sensitive information by text or email. If you receive a suspicious message, do not click any links — instead, open the Venmo app directly and check your account.
Linking Venmo to savings accounts or other bank types
Venmo is designed for checking accounts, and the app specifically asks whether you want to link a checking or savings account. Most people link checking accounts because transfers are faster and more reliable. Linking a savings account is possible but not recommended — transfers may take longer, and some banks charge fees when money moves in and out of savings accounts frequently.
You cannot link accounts at credit unions, online banks, or smaller regional banks through the standard Venmo process if those banks are not in Venmo's system. If your bank does not appear when you search for it by name, contact your bank's customer service to ask whether they support Venmo connections. Some banks require you to set up the link through their own app instead of through Venmo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to show up after I link my bank account?
The two test deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once you confirm them, your account is verified when ready and you can start sending money. Transfers from your bank to Venmo are when ready, but transfers from Venmo back to your bank take one to three business days.
What if I enter the test deposit amounts wrong?
You get two attempts to enter the correct amounts. If both attempts fail, the link is cancelled and you will need to start the process over. Check your bank account carefully for the exact deposit amounts — they are usually small, often under $1 each, and may have unusual names like "VENMO VERIFY" in the description.
Can I link the same checking account to multiple Venmo accounts?
No. Each bank account can only be linked to one Venmo account. If you try to link an account that is already connected to another Venmo profile, the verification will fail. You can link multiple different bank accounts to a single Venmo account, but not the reverse.
Do I have to use my linked bank account every time I send money?
No. If you have multiple bank accounts linked, you can choose which one to send from each time you make a payment. You can also keep a balance in Venmo itself and send from that balance without touching your bank account. The choice is yours for each transaction.
Is it safe to link my checking account to Venmo?
Linking your account is as safe as using any other app that connects to your bank. Venmo encrypts your information and does not store your full account number. The bigger risk is your Venmo password — use a strong one and turn on two-factor authentication so your account is harder to break into.