The basic route: link your bank account and transfer

PayPal money moves to your bank account through a transfer you initiate yourself—PayPal does not push funds to your bank automatically. You link your bank account to PayPal once, then request a transfer whenever you want the money out. The money lands in your checking or savings account, not a PayPal balance.

The process takes two to three business days for a standard transfer, or one business day if you pay a small fee. PayPal holds the money in your PayPal account until you request it, so nothing happens unless you take that step.

You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link the account. You can find both on a check, or call your bank and ask. Once linked, you can transfer money as often as you want—there is no limit on how many transfers you can make, though some banks may flag unusual activity if you move very large amounts very frequently.

Key Takeaways

  • PayPal money stays in your PayPal account until you request a transfer to your bank; it does not move automatically.
  • Standard transfers take two to three business days and cost nothing; one-business-day transfers cost a small fee that PayPal shows you before you confirm.
  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link your bank account, both of which appear on a check or are available from your bank.
  • Once your bank account is linked, you can transfer money as often as you want through the PayPal app or website.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Open PayPal on the web or in the app and go to your wallet or account settings—the exact name varies depending on which version you are using. Look for a section labeled "Linked accounts" or "Bank accounts". Click the option to add a bank account.

PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. Enter these carefully; a wrong routing number or account number will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong place. If you are unsure, call your bank or check a blank check.

After you enter the information, PayPal may verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under a dollar each) into your bank account. You will then need to log back into PayPal and confirm the amounts you saw. This verification step can take a few business days. Once verified, your bank account is linked and ready to use.

Requesting a transfer: the two timing options

Once your bank account is linked, go to your PayPal wallet and look for a "Transfer money" or "Withdraw" button. Select your linked bank account as the destination. PayPal will show you the amount in your PayPal balance and ask how much you want to transfer.

At this point, PayPal offers two timing options. A standard transfer takes two to three business days and costs nothing. An when ready transfer (sometimes called "express" or "next business day") moves the money faster but charges a fee—usually between 1% and 2% of the amount you are transferring, though PayPal shows the exact fee before you confirm. Choose whichever matches your timeline and budget.

After you confirm the transfer, the money leaves your PayPal account when ready. With a standard transfer, it appears in your bank account within two to three business days. With an when ready transfer, it usually arrives the next business day, though the exact timing depends on your bank.

What happens if the transfer fails

A transfer can fail if your routing number or account number is wrong, if your bank account is closed, or if your bank rejects the transfer for fraud reasons. PayPal will notify you by email if a transfer fails and will return the money to your PayPal account.

If a transfer fails, check that your routing number and account number are correct. Call your bank and ask whether they have flagged PayPal transfers as suspicious—some banks do this automatically the first time they see a transfer from PayPal. If your bank has flagged it, you may need to call them and confirm that the transfer is legitimate before trying again.

If you transferred money to the wrong account by mistake, contact PayPal support when ready. They cannot reverse a transfer that has already landed in a bank account, but they may be able to help if the transfer is still pending.

Transfers from PayPal Credit or a PayPal balance

If you have a PayPal balance (money sitting in your PayPal account), you can transfer it to your bank account using the steps above. If you have PayPal Credit (a line of credit PayPal offers), you cannot transfer that balance to your bank—PayPal Credit is for spending only, not for withdrawing cash.

If you received money through PayPal's peer-to-peer payment feature (like a payment from a friend), that money lands in your PayPal account as a balance. You can transfer it to your bank account the same way you would transfer any other PayPal balance.

Timing to expect at each step

Linking your bank account takes a few business days because of PayPal's verification deposits. Once verified, transfers themselves are fast: standard transfers take two to three business days, when ready transfers take one business day. The clock starts when you request the transfer, not when PayPal receives it.

Business days means Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. A transfer you request on a Friday afternoon may not start processing until Monday, so the two-to-three-day window could stretch to five calendar days. when ready transfers usually process the next business day, but again, a Friday request may not process until Monday.

Fees and limits

Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free. when ready transfers charge a fee that PayPal calculates as a percentage of the amount you are transferring—you see the exact fee before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

PayPal does not publish a maximum transfer amount, but your bank may have limits on how much money it will accept in a single deposit. If you are transferring a very large amount, call your bank first and ask whether they need advance notice. Some banks flag large deposits as potentially suspicious and may hold the money while they investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. PayPal transfers go only to the bank account linked to your own PayPal account. If you want to send money to someone else, use PayPal's peer-to-peer payment feature to send it to their PayPal account or email address, and they can then transfer it to their own bank account.

What if I do not have a bank account?

You cannot transfer PayPal money to a bank account if you do not have one. Some people use prepaid debit cards or online banks like Chime or Wise instead; if your card has a routing number and account number, you may be able to link it to PayPal the same way. Call your card issuer and ask whether they support PayPal transfers.

How long does it take to verify my bank account?

PayPal deposits two small amounts into your bank account, which usually takes one to two business days. You then need to log back into PayPal and confirm the amounts, which is when ready. The whole process typically takes two to four business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.

Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?

If the transfer is still pending (has not yet landed in your bank account), you may be able to cancel it through the PayPal app or website. Once the money has arrived in your bank account, PayPal cannot reverse it—you would need to contact your bank. Check your transfer history in PayPal to see the current status.

Why did my transfer fail?

The most common reasons are a wrong routing number or account number, a closed bank account, or your bank rejecting the transfer as suspicious. PayPal will email you with a reason. Check your account details, call your bank to confirm they accept PayPal transfers, and try again. If it fails a second time, contact PayPal support.