The basic process: three steps and a waiting period
To transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, you log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and request a transfer. PayPal then moves the money to your bank—usually in one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on your bank and the day of the week you initiate the transfer.
The transfer itself is free. You will not pay PayPal a fee to move money out. Your bank may charge you a fee for receiving the deposit, but most do not. The money goes directly into the checking or savings account you have linked to PayPal, so you do not need to do anything on your bank's end.
Before you can transfer, you must have a U.S. bank account linked to your PayPal account and verified. If you have not done this yet, that step takes a few minutes but may add a day or two to your first transfer while PayPal confirms the account is yours.
Key Takeaways
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and typically take one to three business days, depending on your bank and when you initiate the transfer.
- You must have a bank account linked to PayPal and verified before you can transfer money out.
- Transfers initiated on weekends or holidays will not begin processing until the next business day.
- If your transfer does not arrive within three business days, contact PayPal support with your transaction ID to investigate a delay.
Linking and verifying your bank account for the first time
If you have never linked a bank account to PayPal, you will need to add one before you can transfer. Log into PayPal, go to Settings (the gear icon), select Wallet, and choose Link a Bank Account. Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). PayPal will ask you to confirm the account is yours.
PayPal verifies new bank accounts by depositing two small amounts—usually under $1 each—into your account within one to two business days. Your bank will show these deposits in your transaction history. Once you see them, return to PayPal and enter the exact amounts to confirm you own the account. After that, the account is verified and ready to use for transfers.
Some banks show these verification deposits when ready in their app or online portal, while others take a day or two to display them. If you do not see the deposits after two business days, check with your bank to make sure they arrived. Once verified, you will not need to repeat this process—the account stays linked to PayPal.
How to initiate a transfer step by step
Open PayPal and log in. Tap or click the Wallet icon (usually at the top of the page or in the menu). Look for your PayPal balance—this is the money you can transfer. Below it, you will see a list of linked accounts, including your bank account.
Select your bank account from the list. PayPal will show you a screen asking how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount (you can transfer all of it or just part of it) and confirm. PayPal will show you the expected arrival date based on your bank and the current day of the week. Review the details and tap Transfer.
You will receive a confirmation number and an email receipt. Save or screenshot this confirmation number—you will need it if you ever contact PayPal about the transfer. The money will leave your PayPal account when ready, but it will not appear in your bank account until the stated arrival date.
Why transfers take different amounts of time
PayPal processes transfers when ready on its end, but your bank controls when the money actually lands in your account. Most banks deposit transfers within one business day, but some take two or three. The day you initiate the transfer also matters: if you request a transfer on Friday evening, it will not begin processing until Monday, so the arrival date will be Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest.
Holidays also pause processing. A transfer requested on a Friday before a Monday holiday will not start until Tuesday. If you need the money by a specific date, initiate the transfer at least three business days before that date to account for delays.
Your bank's processing speed depends on its size and systems. Large national banks often deposit PayPal transfers within 24 hours. Smaller regional banks or credit unions may take two to three business days. If you are unsure how long your bank typically takes, contact them directly—they can tell you their standard processing time for ACH transfers (the method PayPal uses).
What to do if your transfer does not arrive on time
If the money does not show up in your bank account by the date PayPal stated, wait one more business day before contacting anyone. Banks sometimes display deposits a day later than expected, especially if the transfer arrived after your bank's daily processing cutoff.
If it still has not arrived after that, log into PayPal and find the transfer in your transaction history. Click on it and note the transaction ID (a long number PayPal assigns to every transfer). Contact PayPal Support through the Help Center, select the transfer, and report it as delayed. Provide the transaction ID. PayPal can see exactly when the transfer left their system and can contact your bank to track it down.
In rare cases, a transfer gets stuck because the bank account information on file is slightly wrong—a mismatched name or routing number, for example. PayPal will tell you if this is the issue and ask you to update the account details. Once corrected, you can request the transfer again.
when ready transfers and faster options
PayPal offers an when ready Transfer option that moves money to your bank account in minutes rather than days, but it charges a fee—usually between 1% and 2% of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of around 25 cents. Whether this is worth it depends on how urgently you need the money.
To use when ready Transfer, follow the same steps as a standard transfer, but look for the when ready Transfer option when you select your bank account. PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm. The money will arrive within 30 minutes on most business days, though PayPal does not may provide a specific time.
Not all banks support when ready Transfer. If your bank is not listed as an option, you can only use the standard transfer method. PayPal's website has a list of supported banks if you want to check yours before you try.
Transfers to accounts in someone else's name
You can only transfer PayPal money to a bank account that is registered in your own name. PayPal matches the name on your PayPal account to the name on the bank account during verification. If the names do not match, the transfer will be rejected.
If you need to move money to someone else's account, you have two options: use PayPal's send money feature to transfer it to their PayPal account (if they have one), or withdraw the money as cash and deposit it yourself. You cannot use PayPal's transfer-to-bank feature to move money into another person's account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money from PayPal on weekends?
You can initiate a transfer on a weekend, but PayPal will not process it until the next business day. If you request a transfer on Saturday, it will begin processing on Monday and arrive Tuesday or later, depending on your bank. Plan ahead if you need the money by a specific date.
What if I do not have a bank account linked to PayPal yet?
You will need to add one before you can transfer. Go to Settings, select Wallet, and choose Link a Bank Account. Enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will verify the account by depositing two small amounts, which usually takes one to two business days. Once verified, you can transfer when ready.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?
PayPal limits vary based on your account history and verification status. New accounts may have lower limits. Log into PayPal and check your Wallet to see your current transfer limit. If you hit the limit, you can request a higher one through the Help Center, though approval is not may provide.
Can I cancel a transfer after I request it?
If the transfer has not yet been processed by your bank, you may be able to cancel it through PayPal. Log into your account, find the transfer in your transaction history, and look for a cancel option. Once your bank has received the money, you cannot cancel it through PayPal—you would need to contact your bank instead.
Why does PayPal charge a fee for when ready Transfer but not for standard transfers?
Standard transfers use the ACH system, which is slower but free. when ready Transfer uses a different network that costs PayPal money to operate, so they pass that cost to you. If speed is not critical, the standard transfer saves you money.