Yes, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account

PayPal lets you move money out of your PayPal balance and into a checking or savings account linked to your PayPal profile. The money goes directly to your bank — PayPal does not send a check or require you to visit a branch. The transfer takes a few business days, and most transfers are free, though PayPal charges a small fee if you want the money faster.

Before you can transfer, you need to connect a bank account to your PayPal profile. This is a one-time setup that takes about five minutes. Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money whenever you have a PayPal balance to move.

Key Takeaways

  • You must link a bank account to your PayPal profile before you can transfer money out, and PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts.
  • Standard transfers to your bank account are free and take three to five business days.
  • PayPal offers an when ready transfer option that moves money within 30 minutes, but charges a fee of 1.5% of the amount (with a minimum of 25 cents).
  • You can only transfer money that is sitting in your PayPal balance — money received from sales, refunds, or transfers from other people.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Open PayPal on a computer or in the app and go to your account settings. Look for "Wallet" or "Bank and Cards" — the exact label depends on which version of PayPal you use. Select "Link a Bank Account" and enter your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or call your bank's customer service line and ask for them.

PayPal will then deposit two small amounts into your account — usually between 10 cents and $1 each. This takes one to two business days. Once the deposits appear in your bank account, go back to PayPal and confirm the two amounts. This verification proves you own the account. After that, your bank account is linked and ready to use for transfers.

The difference between standard and when ready transfers

Standard transfers are free and take three to five business days. Your money moves during normal banking hours, so a transfer you request on a Friday afternoon may not arrive until the following Tuesday. This is the slowest option but costs nothing.

when ready transfers move your money within 30 minutes, but PayPal charges 1.5% of the amount you transfer, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. So if you transfer $100, you pay $1.50. If you transfer $10, you still pay 25 cents. when ready transfers work on weekends and holidays, which standard transfers do not.

Choose standard transfer if you can wait a few days. Choose when ready transfer only if you need the money urgently and the fee is worth it to you.

What money you can and cannot transfer

You can only transfer money that is in your PayPal balance — the total sitting in your account right now. This includes money you received from selling something, money someone sent you, refunds, or transfers from another person's PayPal account. If your balance is zero, you have nothing to transfer.

You cannot transfer money directly from a credit card or debit card linked to PayPal. You also cannot transfer money that is on hold or pending. PayPal sometimes holds money for 21 days after a sale or transfer, especially if you are new to the account or the transaction is unusual. You have to wait for the hold to lift before you can move that money to your bank.

Step-by-step: requesting a transfer

Open PayPal and go to your Wallet. You should see your current balance displayed. Click "Transfer Money" or "Move Money" — the exact button name varies. Select "Transfer to Your Bank" from the menu. Enter the amount you want to move. Choose standard (free, three to five days) or when ready (1.5% fee, 30 minutes). Review the details and confirm.

PayPal will show you a confirmation screen with a reference number. Write this down or take a screenshot. The transfer is now in progress. You will receive an email when the money leaves PayPal and another when it arrives in your bank account. Check your bank account to confirm the money arrived — this usually happens within the timeframe PayPal promised, but occasionally takes longer if your bank is slow to process.

What to do if a transfer fails or takes too long

If your transfer does not arrive within the promised timeframe, log into PayPal and check the status. Go to your transaction history and find the transfer. It should show whether the transfer is pending, completed, or failed. If it failed, PayPal will usually tell you why — often because the bank account information was wrong or the account was closed.

If the transfer shows completed but the money has not appeared in your bank account after five business days, contact your bank's customer service. Give them the reference number from PayPal. Your bank can trace the transfer and tell you where it is. Do not request the transfer again — this can cause the money to be sent twice.

If PayPal shows the transfer failed, you can request it again. Make sure your bank account information is still correct in your PayPal settings before you try. If the same bank account keeps rejecting transfers, try linking a different account or contact PayPal support for help.

Fees and limits on transfers

Standard transfers are free. when ready transfers cost 1.5% of the amount, with a 25-cent minimum. PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers no matter how much money you move or how often you transfer.

PayPal does not publish a maximum transfer amount, but your bank may have its own limits on how much money can be deposited in a single day. If you are transferring a very large amount, contact your bank first to make sure they will accept it. Some banks flag large deposits and may hold the money while they verify it is legitimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money to someone else's bank account through PayPal?

No. Transfers to a bank account only work with your own account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send Money" feature, which transfers money from your PayPal balance to their PayPal account or email address. They can then transfer it to their own bank if they want.

What if I do not have a bank account yet?

You cannot transfer money from PayPal without a linked bank account. If you do not have a bank account, you can keep your money in PayPal and use it to pay for things online, or you can request a PayPal debit card that lets you withdraw cash at ATMs. Some community banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with low or no fees if you are new to banking.

How long does it take for PayPal to verify my bank account?

PayPal deposits two small amounts into your account, which takes one to two business days. Once you see them, you confirm the amounts in PayPal, which is when ready. After confirmation, your account is verified and ready to use. The whole process usually takes two to three business days from start to finish.

Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?

If the transfer is still pending, you may be able to cancel it through your PayPal transaction history. Once the transfer shows as completed, it has left PayPal and is on its way to your bank — you cannot cancel it. If it has already arrived in your bank account, you would need to contact your bank to reverse it, which is not always possible.

What happens if I transfer money but then close my PayPal account?

Closing your PayPal account does not stop a transfer that is already in progress. The money will still arrive in your bank account. However, if you close your account and later need to dispute the transfer or contact PayPal about it, you will have a harder time because you no longer have an active account.