The basic steps to link your bank account
To link a bank account to PayPal, you log into your account, go to the Wallet section, select "Link a bank account," and enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will then send two small deposits (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) to that account within one to two business days. You return to PayPal, confirm the exact amounts of those deposits, and your account is linked.
The whole process takes about five to seven business days from start to finish, though the actual steps you take on PayPal's site take only a few minutes. Once confirmed, you can use that bank account to fund PayPal payments, transfer money out of PayPal back to your bank, or set it as your default payment method.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account and asks you to confirm the amounts before the link is complete.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's online portal.
- The verification process takes five to seven business days because banks process deposits on their own schedule.
- Once linked, you can move money between PayPal and your bank account, but PayPal charges a fee for some transfers depending on the direction and speed you choose.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number are printed on the bottom left of any check you have from that bank. The routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled "Account Information" or "Routing Information."
If you cannot find them online, call your bank's customer service line. Have your account number ready when you call, and they can give you the routing number in under a minute. Do not guess or use a number from a different bank; PayPal will reject it during verification.
What happens during the verification step
After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your bank account—typically between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These appear as separate transactions in your bank account within one to two business days. The deposits are labeled with PayPal's name and a reference code.
Once you see both deposits in your bank account, you return to PayPal, navigate back to the bank account you are linking, and enter the exact amounts of those two deposits. PayPal confirms the match, and your account is now linked. If the deposits do not arrive within three business days, contact PayPal support; sometimes they go to a different account if you entered the number incorrectly.
Fees and limits when moving money
Linking your bank account is free. However, PayPal charges fees depending on which direction you move money and how fast you want it to go. Transferring money from PayPal to your bank account using the standard transfer (three to five business days) is free. when ready transfers to your bank account cost $0.25 per transfer. Transferring money from your bank account into PayPal to fund a payment is also free.
PayPal also sets daily and monthly limits on how much you can transfer. These limits depend on your account history and how long you have been a user. New accounts typically have lower limits; they increase over time as you use PayPal without disputes or chargebacks. You can see your current limits in the Wallet section under "Transfer Limits."
What to do if verification fails
If PayPal rejects your routing or account number, the most common reason is a typo. Double-check both numbers against your checks or your bank's website and try again. If you entered them correctly but PayPal still rejects them, your bank may not be in PayPal's system, though this is rare for major U.S. banks.
If the two test deposits do not arrive in your bank account after three business days, contact PayPal support with your bank account number and the date you initiated the link. They can resend the deposits or investigate whether they went to a different account. If your bank account is closed or inactive, PayPal will not be able to link it; you will need to use a different account at the same bank or a different bank.
Removing or replacing a linked bank account
You can unlink a bank account at any time from the Wallet section. Click on the linked account, select "Remove," and confirm. Removing an account does not affect any pending transfers—if money is already on its way to that account, it will still arrive. You can link a new bank account when ready after removing the old one, and it will go through the same verification process.
If you want to replace a linked account with a different one from the same bank, you can straightforward link the new account without removing the old one first. PayPal allows multiple bank accounts to be linked at once, so you can keep both active or remove the old one after the new one is verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to link a bank account to PayPal?
The verification deposits usually arrive within one to two business days. Once you confirm the amounts, the link is active when ready. Total time is typically five to seven business days, though it can be faster if your bank processes deposits quickly.
Can I use my bank account before the verification deposits arrive?
No. You cannot transfer money or use the account for payments until you have confirmed the two test deposit amounts. The account shows as "pending" in your Wallet until verification is complete.
What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
Remove it from your Wallet before you confirm the verification deposits. If you have already confirmed it, you can still remove it and link the correct account. Any deposits PayPal sent to the wrong account will not be recovered, but you can link your correct account when ready.
Do I need to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal with a debit or credit card alone. Linking a bank account is optional and is mainly useful if you want to transfer money out of PayPal to your bank or fund payments directly from your checking account.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is the same—you enter the routing number and account number, confirm the test deposits, and the account is linked.