The basic steps to transfer money from PayPal to your bank account
To move money from PayPal to your bank account, you log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your connected bank account, and request a transfer. PayPal then sends the money to that account over the next few business days. The whole process takes about five minutes on your end, but the actual money movement takes time — usually three to five business days, though it can be longer depending on your bank.
Before you can do this, you need to have already connected a bank account to your PayPal account. If you haven't done that yet, you'll need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
Key Takeaways
- You must connect your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number.
- Transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take three to five business days to arrive.
- You can transfer any amount that you have available in your PayPal balance, with no minimum.
- PayPal holds some transfers for review, which can add extra time — you'll see a message in your account if this happens.
How to connect your bank account to PayPal
If this is your first time linking a bank account, start by logging into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Settings (the gear icon), then select Wallet. Look for the option to add a bank account or payment method. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank. Your account number is the number of your 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 website or call the customer service number on the back of your debit card and ask for both numbers.
After you enter this information, PayPal may make two small test deposits to your account — usually less than a dollar each. These deposits arrive within a few days. When they do, you'll need to log back into PayPal and confirm the exact amounts of those deposits. This confirms that you own the account. Once you've done that, your bank account is connected and ready to use.
The step-by-step process for transferring money
Open PayPal and log in. On the home page or in the menu, find and click Wallet. You'll see a list of your payment methods — this includes any bank accounts you've connected. Find the bank account you want to transfer to and click it.
Next, look for a button or link that says Transfer Money or Move Money. Click that. PayPal will ask you how much you want to transfer. Enter the amount — you can transfer any amount up to your full PayPal balance. Then select the bank account you want it to go to (if you have more than one connected). Review the details to make sure everything is correct, then click Confirm or Transfer.
PayPal will show you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. The transfer is now in progress. You should see a message in your PayPal account showing the transfer status and an estimated arrival date.
How long transfers actually take
Standard transfers take three to five business days. This means if you request a transfer on a Tuesday, the money might arrive Wednesday through Friday of the following week. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days, so a transfer requested on Friday might not arrive until the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
Some transfers take longer. If PayPal flags a transfer for review — which happens randomly or if the amount is unusually large for your account — you'll see a message saying the transfer is under review. These can take up to 24 hours to clear, adding extra time to your total wait. You don't need to do anything; PayPal handles the review automatically.
Once the money leaves PayPal, the timing also depends partly on your bank. Most banks post transfers the same day they receive them, but some take an extra business day to process. If your transfer doesn't arrive within five business days, contact PayPal's customer service with your confirmation number.
What happens if something goes wrong
If you enter the wrong bank account number or routing number, PayPal will usually catch it and reject the transfer before it goes through. You'll see an error message asking you to check the information. Fix it and try again.
If a transfer does go to the wrong account, contact PayPal right away with your confirmation number. PayPal can sometimes recall the transfer if it hasn't been processed yet. If it has already been processed, PayPal will work with you to document what happened, though recovering the money may require contacting the bank that received it by mistake.
If your transfer disappears — you requested it but it never shows up in PayPal's transfer history — this usually means it was rejected during PayPal's review process. Check your PayPal email for a message explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account, or a flagged account. PayPal's customer service can help you resolve this.
When to use when ready transfer instead
PayPal also offers when ready Transfer, which moves money to your bank account in minutes rather than days. This service costs a small fee — usually around 1% of the amount you're transferring, with a minimum fee of 25 cents. when ready Transfer is available only if your bank supports it, and only if you've verified your identity with PayPal.
To check if your bank supports when ready Transfer, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and look for an when ready Transfer option. If it's available, you'll see it as a choice when you request a transfer. You can choose between the free standard transfer or the paid when ready option each time you move money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer money on weekends or holidays?
You can request a transfer any time, but PayPal and banks don't process transfers on weekends or holidays. A transfer requested on Saturday won't start moving until Monday. The three- to five-day timeline counts only business days, so weekend requests add extra calendar time.
What's the maximum amount I can transfer?
You can transfer up to your full PayPal balance with no upper limit. However, if you're transferring a very large amount for the first time, PayPal may hold it for review, which adds time. There's no way to avoid this — it's a security measure.
Do I need to verify my identity to transfer money?
For standard transfers, you don't need extra verification beyond having a connected bank account. For when ready Transfer, PayPal requires you to verify your identity, usually by providing your Social Security number or uploading a photo ID. This is a one-time process.
What if my bank account information changes?
If you close the bank account you've connected to PayPal, you'll need to add a new one before you can transfer again. Go to your Wallet, remove the old account, and add your new bank account using the same process as before. You'll need to confirm the test deposits again.
Can I cancel a transfer after I've requested it?
If the transfer is still pending, you can usually cancel it from your transfer history. Once it's been processed and left PayPal's system, you can't cancel it — you'd have to contact your bank to try to reverse it, which is more complicated.