Yes, you can link a checking account to PayPal, and it's the most direct way to move money in and out
PayPal lets you connect a U.S. checking account so you can send money directly from your bank, receive payments into your bank, and withdraw your PayPal balance. The connection is one-way or two-way depending on what you set up: you can receive money into PayPal and pull it to your checking account, or you can also push money from your checking account into PayPal to fund transfers or purchases. Most people do both.
The setup takes about 10 minutes and requires your routing number and account number. PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your checking account within a few business days, and you confirm those amounts in the PayPal app to prove you own the account. After that, transfers between PayPal and your checking account are available when ready, though the money itself takes one to three business days to arrive depending on which direction it's moving.
Key Takeaways
- You need your checking account's routing number and account number to link it to PayPal, which you can find on a check or by calling your bank.
- PayPal verifies the account by depositing two small test amounts that you must confirm within 30 days, or the linking process fails.
- Transfers from PayPal to your checking account are free and take one to three business days; transfers from your checking account to PayPal are also free.
- Once linked, you can use your checking account to fund PayPal purchases, send money to other PayPal users, or withdraw your PayPal balance to your bank.
- If you remove the checking account from PayPal later, any pending transfers will fail, so only unlink after all money has settled.
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 bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific checking account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line and ask for both numbers—they can give them to you in seconds.
You will also need access to the checking account itself. PayPal will deposit two test amounts into it, and you will need to see those deposits to complete the verification. If the account is in someone else's name, you cannot link it to your PayPal account. PayPal requires the account holder and the PayPal account owner to be the same person.
The step-by-step process to link your checking account
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Wallet (or My Money on older versions), then select Link a bank account. Choose Checking Account from the options. Enter your routing number and account number, then confirm the account type and the name on the account. PayPal will ask you to review the information and then submit.
Within one to two business days, PayPal will deposit two small amounts into your checking account—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. Check your bank statement or online banking portal for these deposits. Once you see them, return to PayPal, go back to the bank account you just linked, and select Confirm deposits. Enter the two amounts exactly as they appear in your account. PayPal will verify them when ready, and your checking account is now fully linked.
If you do not see the deposits within two business days, wait one more day and check again. If they still do not appear after three business days, the routing or account number may be wrong. You can delete the account from PayPal and try again with the correct information. You have 30 days from the date PayPal sends the deposits to confirm them; after that, the linking attempt expires and you have to start over.
How money moves between PayPal and your checking account
Once your checking account is linked, you can move money in both directions. Withdrawing from PayPal to your checking account is free and takes one to three business days. Go to Wallet, select your checking account, and choose Transfer to your bank. Enter the amount and confirm. The money leaves your PayPal balance when ready but does not show in your checking account until the transfer settles.
Funding PayPal from your checking account is also free. When you are about to send money or make a purchase through PayPal, you can choose your checking account as the payment method. PayPal will pull the money directly from your bank. This usually settles within one business day, though it may take up to three. You can also manually add money to your PayPal balance by going to Wallet, selecting Transfer money, and choosing From your bank.
Both types of transfers are free. PayPal does not charge a fee for linking or moving money to and from a checking account. Your bank may charge a fee if you have a low-balance account or if you exceed a limit on the number of transfers per month, but that is between you and your bank, not PayPal.
What happens if the verification fails or takes too long
If you enter the wrong routing or account number, the test deposits will go to the wrong bank or account, and you will not see them in your statement. PayPal will not tell you the deposits failed—you straightforward will not receive them. After 30 days, the linking attempt expires. Delete the account from PayPal and try again with the correct information.
If your bank is slow to post the deposits, wait the full three business days before assuming something is wrong. Some banks take longer than others, especially if you link the account on a Friday or before a holiday. Once the deposits appear, you have 30 days to confirm them, so there is no rush.
If you confirm the amounts incorrectly (entering $0.05 when the deposit was $0.03, for example), PayPal will reject the confirmation and ask you to try again. Check your bank statement carefully and enter the exact amounts.
Removing a checking account and what to watch for
You can unlink your checking account from PayPal at any time. Go to Wallet, select the account, and choose Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm. Once removed, you cannot use that account to fund PayPal or receive withdrawals.
The important thing: do not remove the account if you have a transfer in progress. If you withdraw money from PayPal to your checking account and then unlink the account before the transfer settles, the money will fail to arrive and will bounce back to your PayPal balance. This can take several days to resolve. Always wait until any pending transfers have completed before unlinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
PayPal allows you to link a savings account, but the process is slightly different. You will still need the routing and account number, and PayPal will still send two test deposits. However, some banks process transfers to savings accounts more slowly than to checking accounts, so expect one to three business days even for standard transfers.
What if my bank does not recognize the routing number PayPal is asking for?
Call your bank and confirm the routing number directly with them. Some banks have multiple routing numbers depending on the type of account or the region. PayPal's system should accept the correct number, but if it does not, contact PayPal support and provide them with the routing number your bank confirmed.
Can I link the same checking account to multiple PayPal accounts?
No. Each checking account can be linked to only one PayPal account. If you try to link it to a second PayPal account, PayPal will reject it. You would need a different checking account for each PayPal account you own.
How long does it take to withdraw money from PayPal to my checking account?
One to three business days is the standard window. Weekends and bank holidays do not count as business days. If you withdraw on a Friday, the money typically arrives by Tuesday or Wednesday. PayPal shows the transfer as pending when ready, so you can track it in your account.
Is it safe to link my checking account to PayPal?
PayPal uses encryption and verification to protect linked accounts. The two-deposit verification step confirms you own the account before PayPal can move money. However, if someone gains access to your PayPal account, they could potentially withdraw money to a linked checking account. Use a strong, unique password for PayPal and enable two-factor authentication to reduce this risk.