The basic steps to link your bank account
To link your bank account to PayPal, you log into your PayPal 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 only take a few minutes. The waiting happens while PayPal's system verifies your bank details are real and that you control the account.
You do not need to have a PayPal balance first. You can link a bank account to a brand-new PayPal account that has zero dollars in it. Once linked, you can transfer money from your bank to PayPal, or from PayPal back to your bank, depending on what you are doing.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal sends two small test deposits to your bank account, and you confirm the amounts to prove you own the account.
- The entire process takes five to seven business days because banks process transfers on their own schedule, not when ready.
- You will need your routing number and account number from a check or your bank's website, but not a debit card.
- Once linked, you can move money between your bank and PayPal in either direction, though transfer speeds and fees vary by direction.
- If the test deposits do not arrive, your routing number or account number was entered wrong, or your bank blocks PayPal transfers.
What information you need before you start
Gather your routing number and account number before you open PayPal. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is the unique number for your checking or savings account at that bank.
Both numbers appear at the bottom left of any check you have written. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or settings. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers.
Do not use a debit card number or credit card number. PayPal specifically needs the routing and account numbers from your bank account itself. If you enter a card number, the linking will fail.
The verification step that takes the most time
After you enter your routing and account numbers, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your bank account. This is not when ready. Your bank processes the deposit on its own schedule, which usually means one to two business days. Weekends and bank holidays add time.
Once the deposits land in your account, you log back into PayPal and tell it the exact amounts. PayPal checks that the amounts match what it sent. If they do, your bank account is now linked. If they do not match, PayPal will let you try again, usually up to three times.
Some banks show pending deposits before they are fully processed. Do not guess at the amounts. Wait until the deposits are fully posted to your account and you can see the final numbers.
What happens if the test deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the deposits after three business days, one of three things usually happened: you entered the routing or account number wrong, your bank blocks transfers from PayPal, or your bank is experiencing a delay.
Start by double-checking the numbers you entered. Log into your bank's website and confirm your routing number and account number match exactly what you typed into PayPal. A single digit wrong will cause the deposits to fail or go to the wrong account.
If the numbers are correct, contact your bank directly. Ask whether they block transfers from PayPal or whether they have received any deposits from PayPal in the last few days. Some banks flag PayPal transfers as suspicious and hold them. Your bank can release them or whitelist PayPal so future transfers go through.
If your bank confirms they have not received anything and the numbers are right, go back to PayPal and try the linking process again. You can unlink the failed account and start over. PayPal will send new test deposits to the same account.
Linking multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account
You can link more than one bank account to a single PayPal account. Each account goes through the same verification process with its own two test deposits. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or if you want to keep personal and business money separate.
To add a second account, go back to the Wallet section and select "Link a bank account" again. PayPal will walk you through the same steps. You will need to wait for the test deposits to arrive and confirm them before the second account is active.
You can set one account as your primary account, which is the one PayPal uses by default when you transfer money. You can change which account is primary at any time in your settings.
What you can and cannot do once your account is linked
Once your bank account is linked, you can transfer money from your bank to PayPal (called "adding funds") and from PayPal back to your bank (called "withdrawing"). The direction matters because the speed and cost are different.
Transfers from your bank to PayPal usually take three to five business days. Transfers from PayPal back to your bank usually take one to three business days, depending on your bank. PayPal does not charge a fee for either direction when you use a linked bank account, but your bank might charge you a fee for incoming transfers (rare, but possible).
You cannot use a linked bank account to pay someone directly through PayPal. If you want to send money to another person, you have to transfer money from your bank to PayPal first, then send it from your PayPal balance. This is a safety feature: PayPal does not store your bank login information, so it cannot pull money directly from your account on demand.
Security and what PayPal does with your information
PayPal does not store your full bank account number after linking is complete. During the linking process, you enter your routing number and account number directly into PayPal's encrypted system. PayPal uses those numbers to send the test deposits and to process transfers you request.
PayPal stores a tokenized version of your account—a substitute code that represents your account without exposing the actual numbers. When you request a transfer, PayPal uses that token to tell your bank to move money, but PayPal itself does not hold your account details in a way that could be stolen and used elsewhere.
If your PayPal account is hacked, the hacker cannot use it to drain your bank account directly. They can only transfer money that is already in your PayPal balance to themselves. Your bank account is protected by the fact that PayPal does not have the ability to pull money from it without your explicit request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. PayPal accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is identical—you enter the routing number and account number, wait for the test deposits, and confirm the amounts. Some banks process transfers to savings accounts slightly slower than to checking accounts, but most do not.
What if I enter the wrong routing number and the test deposits go to someone else's account?
The deposits will go to whatever account matches that routing and account number combination. If you entered a real routing number but the wrong account number, the deposits go to someone else's account at that bank. PayPal cannot retrieve them. Contact PayPal's support team and explain what happened. They may be able to reverse the deposits or issue you a credit, but this is not may provide. Always double-check the numbers before you submit.
Do I have to link a bank account to use PayPal?
No. You can use PayPal with only a debit card or credit card linked. However, linking a bank account gives you lower fees for transfers and is required if you want to withdraw money from PayPal to your bank. If you only plan to send money to other people using PayPal's balance, a card is enough.
How long does it take to transfer money from my bank to PayPal after linking?
Three to five business days. The transfer is not when ready. If you need money in your PayPal account quickly, use a debit or credit card instead—those transfers are usually when ready or within a few hours. Bank transfers are slower but have lower fees.
Can I unlink my bank account after I link it?
Yes. Go to your Wallet settings and select the linked account, then choose "Unlink." Your account is removed when ready. Any pending transfers will still go through, but no new transfers can be initiated to or from that account. You can link it again later if you change your mind.