The basic route: link your bank account and transfer

To move money from your bank account to PayPal, you link the account to your PayPal wallet, then initiate a transfer from PayPal's website or app. PayPal pulls the funds directly from your bank using your routing and account number. The money lands in your PayPal balance, where you can hold it, send it to someone else, or move it back to your bank later.

This is different from adding a debit card. A debit card is a payment method — PayPal uses it to pull money when you make a purchase. A linked bank account is a source for transfers you start yourself. Most people link a checking account, though some banks allow savings accounts too.

The transfer itself takes one to three business days, depending on your bank and PayPal's processing schedule. Weekends and holidays extend the timeline. If you transfer on a Friday afternoon, expect the money to land Tuesday or Wednesday.

Key Takeaways

  • Link your bank account through PayPal's Wallet section by providing your routing number and account number, which PayPal verifies with two small test deposits.
  • Once linked, you can transfer money from your bank to PayPal by selecting the account and entering an amount — the transfer takes one to three business days.
  • PayPal charges no fee for bank transfers, but your bank may charge a fee if it considers the transaction a withdrawal; check your account agreement.
  • You can transfer money back to your bank from your PayPal balance using the same linked account, and the reverse transfer also takes one to three business days.
  • If verification fails or your bank rejects the link, you can add a debit or credit card instead, though you cannot transfer from a card the way you can from a bank account.

How to link your bank account to PayPal

Start by logging into PayPal on a computer or opening the PayPal app. Go to your Wallet (on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom). Look for a link or button that says "Link a bank account" or "Add bank account." PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your account number, and your routing number.

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. You can find it on a check (the first set of numbers on the bottom left), on your bank's website, or by calling your bank. Your account number is usually printed on checks too, or visible in your online banking portal.

After you enter this information, PayPal sends two small deposits to your bank account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits appear in your bank account within one to two business days. You then return to PayPal and enter the exact amounts of both deposits to confirm you own the account. Once PayPal receives your confirmation, the account is linked and ready to use.

If your bank rejects the link or the verification deposits do not arrive, PayPal will tell you. Common reasons include a typo in the account or routing number, a closed account, or a bank that does not allow third-party verification. If this happens, you can try again with the correct information, or you can add a debit or credit card instead.

Starting a transfer from your bank to PayPal

Once your bank account is linked, transferring money is straightforward. In the PayPal app, tap Wallet, then tap "Transfer money." Select "Transfer to your PayPal balance" (not "Request money" or "Send money to a friend"). Choose your linked bank account as the source. Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm.

On a computer, the path is similar: Wallet, then look for "Transfer money" or "Add funds." Select your bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. PayPal shows you a confirmation screen with the transfer amount, the source account (usually masked for security), and an estimated arrival date.

The money does not move when ready. PayPal initiates the transfer when ready, but your bank and PayPal's bank both process it on their own schedules. Most transfers land within one to three business days. If you transfer on a Monday morning, you might see the money by Tuesday or Wednesday. If you transfer late Friday, it may not arrive until the following Tuesday.

You can check the status of a transfer in your PayPal transaction history. Look for the transfer you just made and tap it to see whether it is pending, processing, or complete.

Fees and what your bank might charge

PayPal does not charge a fee to transfer money from your bank account to your PayPal balance. The transfer is free on PayPal's side. However, your bank may charge a fee if it treats the transfer as a withdrawal or if you exceed a limit on the number of withdrawals per month.

Most checking accounts allow unlimited transfers to external accounts without a fee, but some banks — particularly online banks or accounts with withdrawal limits — may charge $1 to $5 per transfer or restrict how many you can make. Savings accounts are more likely to have limits; federal rules once capped savings account transfers at six per month, though that rule changed in 2020. Check your bank's fee schedule or account agreement to see whether transfers to PayPal count as withdrawals.

If you are unsure, call your bank or log into your online banking portal and search for "external transfer" or "ACH transfer" fees. Most banks list this information clearly.

Transferring money back from PayPal to your bank

The reverse transfer — from your PayPal balance back to your bank account — uses the same linked account. In the PayPal app, go to Wallet, tap "Transfer money," and select "Transfer to your bank." Choose the linked bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. The money takes one to three business days to arrive in your bank account.

PayPal also does not charge a fee for this direction of transfer. Again, check with your bank to see whether it charges for incoming transfers, though most do not.

If you want to transfer money to a different bank account than the one you linked, you will need to link that account first and go through the verification process again. PayPal does not allow you to transfer to an unlinked account.

What to do if the transfer fails or gets stuck

A transfer can fail for several reasons: insufficient funds in your bank account, a typo in the account number when you first linked it, your bank rejecting the transfer, or a technical problem on either PayPal's or your bank's end. If a transfer fails, PayPal sends you a notification and the money stays in your bank account (or in your PayPal balance, if you were transferring back).

If the transfer is pending but has not arrived after four business days, contact your bank first. Give them the transfer date and amount, and ask whether they received it. If your bank says they did not receive it, contact PayPal through the Resolution Center in your account. PayPal can investigate on their end and may be able to resend the transfer or refund it if it was lost.

If your bank says they received the transfer but it is not showing in your account, the problem is on your bank's side. Ask your bank to trace the deposit and credit it to your account.

Alternatives if you cannot link your bank account

If your bank will not allow PayPal to verify your account, or if you do not want to link a bank account, you have other options. You can add a debit card or credit card to PayPal and use it to make purchases, but you cannot transfer money from a card to your PayPal balance the way you can from a bank account. Cards are for spending, not for funding your PayPal wallet.

If you need to get money into PayPal and cannot link a bank account, you can ask someone to send you money through PayPal (they can transfer from their bank or card), or you can use a PayPal Cash Card or PayPal Cash account, which can receive direct deposits from employers or government agencies. Some PayPal users also load money through a retail partner like Walmart or CVS, though this usually involves a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PayPal send two small deposits to verify my bank account?

The two deposits prove you own the account and can access it. By asking you to tell PayPal the exact amounts, PayPal confirms that you have login access to that bank account. This is a security step to prevent someone from linking an account that does not belong to them.

Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?

Yes, most banks allow PayPal to link a savings account. However, federal rules may limit how many transfers you can make from a savings account per month, and your bank may charge a fee for each transfer. Check your account agreement before linking a savings account.

What if my bank account number or routing number is wrong?

PayPal's verification deposits will not arrive, and you will see an error message. You can delete the account and try again with the correct information. If you are not sure of your routing number, check a check, call your bank, or visit your bank's website.

Can I transfer money from PayPal to someone else's bank account?

No, you can only transfer from your PayPal balance to your own linked bank account. To send money to someone else, use PayPal's "Send money" feature, which lets you send to their email address or phone number. They receive the money in their PayPal account or can withdraw it to their own bank.

Is there a limit to how much I can transfer at once?

PayPal sets limits based on your account history and verification status. New accounts may have lower limits. Your bank may also have its own limits on transfers. Log into PayPal or contact PayPal Support to see your current transfer limit.