PayPal gives you three ways to move money to your bank account, and the route you pick depends on how fast you need it and whether you want to keep a PayPal balance

The three methods are a standard transfer (3 to 5 business days, free), an when ready transfer (within 30 minutes, costs 1.75% of the amount), and a debit card withdrawal (when ready, free if you have a PayPal Cash or Cash Plus account). You can also withdraw cash at an ATM or retail location if you have one of those account types. The method you choose depends on your timeline and whether you're willing to pay a fee for speed.

All three routes start the same way: log into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app, go to your wallet, and select the bank account you want to transfer to. If you haven't linked a bank account yet, you'll need to add one first—PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, then verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) that you'll confirm back in PayPal within a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard transfers are free but take 3 to 5 business days, and PayPal processes them Monday through Friday only.
  • when ready transfers cost 1.75% of the amount you're sending and arrive within 30 minutes, but you need an may be able to access debit card or bank account linked to your PayPal account.
  • You must have a PayPal Cash or Cash Plus account to withdraw cash at ATMs or retail locations; standard PayPal accounts cannot do this.
  • Once you link a bank account, PayPal stores it so you can transfer again without re-entering the details each time.
  • Transfers are only available if your PayPal account is in good standing—no holds, disputes, or unresolved transactions.

Standard transfers: free but slower

A standard transfer is the cheapest option and costs nothing. The money leaves your PayPal account when ready, but it takes 3 to 5 business days to land in your bank account. PayPal processes transfers Monday through Friday, so if you request a transfer on Friday afternoon, it won't process until Monday, and you won't see the money until Thursday or Friday of the following week.

To start a standard transfer, open PayPal, tap or click "Wallet," select "Transfer Money," then choose "Transfer to your bank." Pick the bank account from your saved list, enter the amount, and confirm. You'll see a confirmation screen with the expected arrival date. PayPal will also send you an email confirming the transfer was sent.

Standard transfers work for any linked bank account in the United States. There's no minimum or maximum amount, though PayPal may limit how much you can transfer in a single day or month depending on your account history and activity level.

when ready transfers: fast but with a fee

An when ready transfer arrives within 30 minutes and costs 1.75% of the amount you send. For example, transferring $100 costs $1.75, so your bank account receives $98.25. This fee is deducted from your PayPal balance before the transfer goes out.

when ready transfers require an may be able to access debit card or bank account linked to your PayPal account. Not all banks may have access to—PayPal's system checks whether your bank is in their network. If your bank isn't may be able to access, the option won't appear when you try to transfer. You can still use a standard transfer instead, or you can link a different bank account and try again.

To use when ready transfer, go to "Transfer Money" in your wallet, select "Transfer to your bank," choose your account, and look for the "when ready" option. If it appears, select it, enter the amount, and confirm. The money should arrive within 30 minutes on any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. You'll get an email confirmation when ready.

ATM and retail withdrawals: when ready cash

If you have a PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus account, you can withdraw cash at ATMs or retail locations like Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens without transferring to a bank first. This is the only way to get cash directly from PayPal without a bank account. Standard PayPal accounts cannot use this feature.

PayPal Cash and Cash Plus accounts come with a debit card. You can use the card to withdraw cash at any ATM that accepts Mastercard, or you can go to a participating retail location, tell the cashier you want to withdraw cash, and they'll process it at checkout. There's no fee for ATM withdrawals at most machines, though some ATM operators may charge their own fee (usually $2 to $3).

To check if you have a Cash or Cash Plus account, open PayPal and look at your account type in settings. If you have a standard account and want to switch, you can upgrade through the app or website. Cash Plus includes additional features like direct deposit and bill pay, while Cash is the basic version.

Linking and verifying a bank account

Before you can transfer money, you need to link at least one bank account to PayPal. Go to "Wallet," select "Link a bank account," and enter your routing number and account number. You can find both on a check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank's customer service line.

After you enter the information, PayPal will deposit two small amounts (usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each) into your account over the next 1 to 2 business days. Once they arrive, go back to PayPal, navigate to the bank account verification section, and enter the two amounts. PayPal will confirm the account is yours and unlock transfers.

You can link multiple bank accounts to the same PayPal account. When you go to transfer, you'll see a list of all linked accounts and can pick which one to send money to. You only have to verify each account once.

When transfers fail or get delayed

A transfer can fail if your bank account information is wrong, your account is closed, or your bank rejects the deposit for any reason. PayPal will send you an email explaining why and usually return the money to your PayPal balance within 5 to 10 business days. If the money doesn't return, contact PayPal's Resolution Center.

Transfers can also be delayed if PayPal places a hold on your account due to unusual activity, a dispute, or a chargeback. If you see a message that transfers are temporarily unavailable, check your account for any alerts or contact PayPal support to ask why the hold is in place and how long it will last.

Standard transfers may also be delayed if your bank is processing a high volume of deposits or if there's a banking holiday. If your transfer doesn't arrive by the expected date, wait one more business day before contacting PayPal. If it still hasn't arrived after that, open a case in the Resolution Center with the transfer confirmation number from your email.

Fees and limits to know

Standard transfers are free. when ready transfers cost 1.75% of the amount. ATM withdrawals are free at most machines, though some ATM operators charge their own fee. There are no fees for linking a bank account or verifying it.

PayPal doesn't publish a single maximum transfer amount that applies to all accounts. Instead, limits depend on your account age, history, and activity. New accounts may have lower limits than established ones. If you try to transfer more than your limit allows, PayPal will tell you the maximum you can send and suggest you split the transfer into multiple transactions.

You can transfer as often as you want, but if you're moving large amounts frequently, PayPal may flag the activity and ask you to verify your identity or explain the transfers. This is a fraud prevention measure and is normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a standard transfer really take?

3 to 5 business days from the time PayPal processes it. If you request the transfer on a Friday, it won't process until Monday, so you're looking at Thursday or Friday of the next week. Weekends and bank holidays don't count as business days.

Can I cancel a transfer after I've sent it?

Standard transfers can sometimes be canceled within a few minutes of sending, but once PayPal has processed it (which happens quickly), you can't stop it. when ready transfers cannot be canceled. If you need to cancel, contact PayPal support when ready with your transfer confirmation number.

What if my bank account is in someone else's name?

PayPal requires the bank account to be in your name or a name associated with your PayPal account. If the account belongs to someone else, PayPal will reject the transfer or the bank will return the deposit. You'll need to link an account that's in your name.

Do I need a PayPal Cash account to transfer to my bank?

No. Standard PayPal accounts can transfer to a linked bank account using standard or when ready transfers. PayPal Cash and Cash Plus accounts have additional features like ATM withdrawals and debit cards, but they're not required for bank transfers.

Why does PayPal say my bank account is ineligible for when ready transfer?

Not all banks are in PayPal's when ready transfer network. If your bank isn't may be able to access, you can still use a standard transfer for free, or you can link a different bank account and try when ready transfer with that one. Some credit unions and smaller regional banks may not be may be able to access.