PayPal needs your bank details to move money in and out
Linking a bank account to PayPal means giving PayPal permission to pull money from your checking or savings account when you send a payment, and to deposit money there when you receive funds. PayPal doesn't hold the money itself — it acts as the middleman between your bank and whoever you're paying or who's paying you.
The process takes about five minutes to start, but PayPal won't let you use the account for transfers right away. Instead, PayPal deposits two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into your bank account within one to two business days. You then confirm those amounts in the PayPal app or website to prove you own the account. Only after that confirmation can you actually move money.
You can link a debit card, a credit card, or a bank account directly. A bank account is the cheapest option because PayPal doesn't charge a fee when you use it to send money to friends or family. Credit and debit cards carry fees for certain transaction types, so most people link a bank account as their primary payment method.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal verifies your bank account by depositing two small amounts and asking you to report them back, which takes one to two business days.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to link an account, both of which appear on a check or in your bank's app.
- Linking takes five minutes but you cannot use the account for transfers until you confirm the two verification deposits.
- Bank accounts have no transfer fees for friends and family payments, while debit and credit cards charge 2.2% plus $0.30 per transaction.
What information you need before you start
Gather these details before opening PayPal or logging in. You'll need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific checking or savings account). Both appear on the bottom left of any check you have. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's app or website — most banks display both numbers in the account details section, sometimes labeled "Account Information" or "Bank Details".
You'll also need your name exactly as it appears on the bank account, and the account type (checking or savings). PayPal will reject a link if the name doesn't match what your bank has on file, so if you go by a nickname but your account is under your legal name, use the legal name.
Have your PayPal login ready, or create a PayPal account first if you don't have one. You can use any email address, and PayPal will send you a confirmation link to that email before the account is active.
The step-by-step process to add your bank account
Log into PayPal on the website or open the PayPal app. On the website, click your profile icon in the top right, then select "Wallet" or "Account Settings" depending on your version. In the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to "Wallet".
Look for a button that says "Link a bank account" or "Add bank account" — the exact wording varies. Click it and select your country and bank type (checking or savings). PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. Type them carefully; a single wrong digit will cause the verification to fail.
Enter your name as it appears on the account, then confirm. PayPal will show you a summary of what you entered. Review it for typos, then submit. You'll see a message saying verification is in progress.
That's the end of the linking step. Now you wait for the two small deposits to hit your bank account, which usually happens within one to two business days but can take up to three.
How to confirm the deposits and finish verification
When the two deposits arrive, log back into PayPal. Go to your Wallet or Account Settings and find the bank account you just linked — it will show a status like "Pending" or "Awaiting confirmation". Click on it.
PayPal will ask you to enter the exact amounts of the two deposits. These are usually small amounts like $0.23 and $0.17, but they vary. Check your bank account (online or by calling your bank) to find the exact amounts. Type them into PayPal in the order it asks for them.
Click "Confirm" or "Verify". PayPal will check the amounts against what it deposited. If they match, your account status will change to "Confirmed" or "Active" within seconds. You can now use this bank account to send money, receive money, or pay for things through PayPal.
The two small deposits will remain in your account — PayPal does not pull them back out. You can leave them there or spend them; they're yours.
What happens if verification fails or takes too long
If you enter the deposit amounts wrong, PayPal will tell you when ready and let you try again. You get multiple attempts, so don't panic if you misread the first time.
If the deposits don't show up after three business days, the link may have failed. Go back to your Wallet, find the pending account, and look for an option to "Re-enter bank details" or "Try again". This usually means your routing or account number had a typo. Correct it and resubmit; PayPal will send two new deposits.
If you see an error message saying the account cannot be linked, it may mean the account is not in your name, the account is closed, or your bank doesn't allow PayPal links (rare, but some banks do restrict this). Contact your bank to confirm the account is active and in your name, then try linking again. If it still fails, you can link a debit card instead, though this carries transaction fees.
Using your linked bank account for different types of payments
Once verified, your bank account becomes your default payment method. When you send money to a friend or family member through PayPal's "Friends and Family" option, PayPal will pull from your bank account at no charge. The money reaches the other person within one to three business days.
If you're paying a business or buying something online, PayPal may default to a credit or debit card if you have one linked, because businesses pay a higher fee and PayPal prefers to charge that to a card. You can usually override this and choose your bank account instead, but check the fee before you confirm — some business payments do carry a small fee even from a bank account.
When someone sends you money, PayPal deposits it into whichever account you've set as your primary. You can change which account is primary in your Wallet settings. Money sent to you typically arrives within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.
Security and what PayPal can and cannot do with your account
Linking your bank account does not give PayPal access to your full account balance or the ability to withdraw money without your permission. PayPal can only pull money when you initiate a transaction — sending a payment, making a purchase, or withdrawing funds to your bank account.
Your bank account number and routing number are encrypted when you send them to PayPal, meaning they're scrambled so no one can read them in transit. PayPal stores them securely and does not share them with the people you pay or the businesses you buy from.
If your PayPal account is hacked, the hacker can send money from your linked bank account, but only up to your PayPal transaction limits (which start low and increase as you build a history). Your bank account itself is not compromised. If you notice unauthorized PayPal transactions, contact PayPal when ready to freeze the account and dispute the charges. Your bank can also reverse fraudulent transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account?
Yes. You can link as many bank accounts as you want, but only one can be your primary account at a time. To add another, go to your Wallet, click "Link a bank account" again, and repeat the verification process. You can switch which account is primary in your settings whenever you want.
What if my bank account name doesn't match my PayPal name exactly?
PayPal will reject the link if the names don't match. Use the exact legal name on your bank account, even if you go by a different name. If your bank account is under a nickname or shortened version, you'll need to update your bank account name first, or link a different account that does match your PayPal name.
How long does it take before I can actually use my linked bank account?
The linking itself takes five minutes, but you cannot use the account until you confirm the verification deposits, which takes one to three business days. Once confirmed, you can use it when ready for any PayPal transaction.
Will PayPal charge me a fee to link my bank account?
No. Linking is free. PayPal charges fees only when you use the account to send money to a business or make a purchase (2.2% plus $0.30), not for friends and family transfers or for linking itself.
What if I accidentally entered my savings account instead of checking?
It doesn't matter. PayPal works with both checking and savings accounts the same way. If you linked the wrong one, you can unlink it and link the correct account instead. Go to your Wallet, find the account, and look for an "Unlink" or "Remove" option.