Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to a checking account
PayPal lets you move money out to a bank account you own. The process takes a few days, costs nothing in most cases, and works with any U.S. checking or savings account. You start the transfer inside the PayPal app or website, choose the bank account you want the money to go to, and PayPal sends it there — you do not need to give PayPal your debit card or routing number twice if you have already linked the account.
The main thing to know upfront: transfers are not when ready. Standard transfers take three to five business days. PayPal also offers a faster option that costs a small fee and arrives the same day or next business day, but most people use the free standard transfer and plan ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your checking account are free and take three to five business days.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small deposits.
- when ready transfers are available for a fee (usually 1.75% of the amount) and arrive within 30 minutes on business days.
- You can only transfer money that is actually in your PayPal balance — money held for disputes or pending sales cannot be transferred.
- PayPal transfers work with checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts at most U.S. banks.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, you need to tell PayPal which bank account to send it to. Open the PayPal app or go to PayPal.com, sign in, and look for the wallet or account settings section. You will see an option to add a bank account or linked account.
PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or call your bank and ask. Once you enter them, PayPal sends two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your account — this is how PayPal verifies that the account is really yours. Your bank will show these deposits within one to two business days. You then go back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those two deposits. After that, your account is linked and ready to use.
If you have already linked your account for other reasons — like receiving a PayPal payment from someone — you can skip this step and move straight to transferring.
The steps to transfer money out
Once your bank account is linked, transferring is straightforward. In the PayPal app, tap the money icon or "Transfer Money" button. On the website, look for "Transfer Money" in the menu. PayPal will show you your current balance and ask where you want the money to go.
Select your linked bank account from the list. Enter the amount you want to transfer — it cannot be more than what you have in your PayPal balance. Choose whether you want the standard free transfer (three to five business days) or the when ready transfer (costs a fee, arrives within 30 minutes on business days). Review the details, confirm, and you are done. PayPal will send you a confirmation email with a reference number.
The money will appear in your checking account on the timeline you chose. You can check the status of any transfer by going back to the transfer history section in PayPal.
When transfers take longer or fail
Most transfers arrive on time, but a few things can cause delays. If you transfer on a Friday evening, the money will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday because banks do not process transfers over weekends. If your bank is smaller or regional, it may take an extra day. If PayPal flags the transfer as unusual — for example, if you suddenly transfer a much larger amount than normal — they may hold it for review, which can add a day or two.
Transfers can also fail if your bank account information is wrong, if your account is closed, or if your bank rejects the transfer for fraud prevention reasons. If this happens, PayPal will send you a notification and the money goes back to your PayPal balance. You can then try again, or contact your bank to ask why they rejected it.
when ready transfers and when they cost money
If you need the money faster, PayPal offers when ready transfers to a debit card or bank account. These arrive within 30 minutes on business days (before 11 p.m. Eastern time) and cost a fee. The fee is usually around 1.75% of the amount you transfer, though it can vary. For example, transferring $100 would cost about $1.75.
when ready transfers are useful if you need cash urgently, but they are not free. The standard transfer is still the better choice if you can wait a few days. Some PayPal accounts also get a limited number of free when ready transfers per month, so check your account to see if that applies to you.
What money you can and cannot transfer
You can only transfer money that is sitting in your PayPal balance and available to use. If you have money coming in from a sale or a payment someone sent you, but it is still pending, you cannot transfer it yet — you have to wait for it to clear. If PayPal is holding money because of a dispute or a chargeback, that money is locked and cannot be transferred until the dispute is resolved.
Money in your PayPal Credit account (PayPal's line of credit) also cannot be transferred to your bank. You can only move actual money that you own outright. If you are unsure whether a particular amount is available, look at your PayPal balance — it shows only the money you can actually use or transfer.
Fees and limits on transfers
Standard transfers to your bank account are free. when ready transfers cost a fee, usually 1.75% of the amount. Some accounts have daily or monthly limits on how much you can transfer, though most personal accounts can transfer several thousand dollars per day. If you hit a limit, you can transfer again the next day.
PayPal does not charge a fee to link your bank account, and there is no monthly fee for having a linked account. The only cost is if you choose the when ready transfer option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for the money to show up?
Standard transfers take three to five business days. If you transfer on a Friday, count Monday as day one. Weekends and bank holidays do not count. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes on business days before 11 p.m. Eastern time, but cost a fee.
Can I transfer to someone else's bank account?
No. PayPal only lets you transfer to a bank account that is registered in your name. If you want to send money to someone else, you use PayPal's "Send Money" feature instead, which lets you pay them directly from your PayPal balance.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You cannot transfer 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 — many offer accounts with no minimum balance. Once you have an account, you can link it to PayPal and start transferring.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
Yes. PayPal is a major financial company and uses encryption to protect your information. Giving them your routing number and account number is the standard way to link accounts. Your bank also protects your account and can reverse unauthorized transfers if something goes wrong.
Can I transfer money back from my bank to PayPal?
Yes, but it works differently. You go into PayPal, choose "Add Money," and select your linked bank account. The transfer takes the same three to five business days. This is useful if you want to load money into PayPal before making a purchase.