The fastest way is a standard transfer, which takes one to three business days and costs nothing
Open PayPal on your phone or computer, go to your Wallet, and select the bank account you want to send money to. If you haven't linked one yet, add it first — PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, which you'll find on a check or in your bank's app. Choose how much to transfer, confirm it, and the money will arrive in one to three business days. There is no fee for this method.
If you need the money today or tomorrow, PayPal also offers an when ready transfer option that costs between 25 cents and $2 depending on the amount. This hits your account within 30 minutes on weekdays and within a few hours on weekends. The trade-off is the fee — for most people, the standard transfer is worth the wait.
The method you choose depends on when you need the money and whether you're willing to pay for speed. Both routes require the same setup: a linked bank account and enough money in your PayPal balance to cover the transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Standard transfers from PayPal to your bank account are free and take one to three business days.
- when ready transfers cost 25 cents to $2 and arrive within 30 minutes on weekdays or a few hours on weekends.
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number.
- Money transfers only from your PayPal balance — if you have credit from a sale or payment, you may need to withdraw it to your balance first.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Go to Settings (the gear icon) and select Wallet. Click "Link a bank account" and choose whether you're linking a checking or savings account. PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number. You can find both on a check — the routing number is the first set of digits on the bottom left, and your account number follows it. If you don't have a check, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information.
After you enter these numbers, PayPal will make two small deposits into your account — usually within one to two business days. These deposits are typically less than a dollar each. Once they arrive, PayPal will ask you to confirm the amounts. This verification step proves you own the account. After you confirm, your bank account is linked and ready to use for transfers.
You can link multiple bank accounts to the same PayPal account. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or want to transfer to a specific account for a particular reason. You can change which account you transfer to each time you make a transfer.
Standard transfers versus when ready transfers
| Transfer Type | Speed | Cost | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transfer | 1–3 business days | Free | You can wait a few days and want to avoid fees |
| when ready transfer | 30 minutes (weekdays) or a few hours (weekends) | $0.25–$2.00 | You need the money today or tomorrow |
Standard transfers are the default option and the one most people use. The money sits in PayPal's system for one to three business days before it reaches your bank. Weekends and holidays can add time, so if you initiate a transfer on Friday afternoon, it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday.
when ready transfers are newer and more expensive, but they move money when ready. On a weekday before 5 p.m. Eastern time, the transfer usually arrives within 30 minutes. On weekends or after 5 p.m., it can take a few hours. The fee scales with the amount — small transfers cost 25 cents, while larger ones cost up to $2. PayPal shows you the exact fee before you confirm.
What to do if your transfer fails or doesn't arrive
If a transfer fails, PayPal will usually tell you why when ready. The most common reasons are a wrong routing number, a closed account, or a mismatch between the name on your PayPal account and the name on your bank account. If the name doesn't match, contact your bank to see if you can update it, then try the transfer again.
If a standard transfer doesn't arrive after three business days, log into PayPal and check the transaction history. Look for the transfer in your Activity or Wallet section — it will show a status like "Completed" or "Pending." If it says "Completed" but the money isn't in your bank account, contact your bank's customer service. Sometimes transfers get held up on the bank's end, especially if it's the first transfer from PayPal to that account.
For when ready transfers that don't arrive within the promised window, contact PayPal support through the Resolution Center. Have your transaction ID ready — you'll find it in your activity history. PayPal can usually track where the money went and push it through if there was a delay.
Why your transfer might be pending or stuck
A pending transfer usually means PayPal is processing it and it will arrive soon. Standard transfers show as pending for the full one to three days. when ready transfers should move to "Completed" within 30 minutes on weekdays.
Transfers get stuck most often because of a mismatch between your PayPal account and your bank account. If the name on your PayPal account is "James Rodriguez" but your bank account is under "J. Rodriguez," PayPal's system may flag it. The same happens if you've recently changed your name or if your bank account is in a different name entirely — for example, a business account or a joint account where only one name is registered with PayPal.
Another common reason is insufficient funds. If your PayPal balance is lower than the amount you're trying to transfer, the transfer will fail. Check your balance in the Wallet section before you initiate a transfer. If you have money from a sale or payment that hasn't cleared to your balance yet, you may need to wait for that to process first.
Transferring money from PayPal Credit or a PayPal balance from a sale
If you received money from a sale or payment, it may sit in a separate holding area before moving to your main PayPal balance. Check your Wallet to see where the money is. Money from sales usually moves to your balance within a few days, but you can sometimes transfer it sooner if you initiate a withdrawal.
PayPal Credit is different — it's a line of credit that PayPal extends to you, not money you own. You cannot transfer PayPal Credit to your bank account. You can only use it to make purchases on PayPal or at partner merchants. If you want to move money out of PayPal, it has to come from your actual PayPal balance, not from available credit.
If you're unsure whether money in your account is a balance or credit, look at your Wallet. Your balance will show as "PayPal Balance" and your available credit will show separately as "PayPal Credit." Only the balance can be transferred to your bank.
Fees and limits on transfers
Standard transfers are always free, with no limit on how much you can move at once. when ready transfers cost between 25 cents and $2 per transfer. PayPal shows you the exact fee before you confirm, so you'll know the cost before your money leaves.
There is no daily or monthly limit on how much you can transfer to your bank account, but your bank may have its own limits on how much it will accept in a single deposit. If you're moving a very large amount, contact your bank first to make sure they won't hold or reject the deposit.
If you're a new PayPal user or haven't transferred money before, PayPal may limit your first transfer as a fraud prevention measure. These limits usually lift after your account has been active for a while and you've completed a few transactions. If you hit a limit, you can try again the next day or contact PayPal support to ask if it can be raised.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my bank account?
Standard transfers take one to three business days, but the exact timing depends on your bank. Some banks process deposits faster than others. If you transfer on a Friday, the money may not arrive until Tuesday because weekends don't count as business days. when ready transfers arrive within 30 minutes on weekdays before 5 p.m. Eastern time, or within a few hours on weekends.
Can I transfer money if I don't have a checking account?
Yes, you can link a savings account to PayPal and transfer to that instead. When you add your bank account, PayPal lets you choose whether it's a checking or savings account. The process is the same — you'll need your routing number and account number, and PayPal will verify it with two small deposits.
What happens if I transfer money to the wrong bank account?
Once a transfer is completed, you cannot cancel it or reverse it through PayPal. If you sent money to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready and explain what happened. Your bank may be able to recover the funds, but this depends on whether the receiving account is at the same bank and how quickly you report it. The sooner you act, the better your chances.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I transfer from PayPal to my bank?
Transferring money from PayPal to your bank account is not a taxable event — you're just moving money you already earned. However, the money itself may be taxable depending on where it came from. If it's income from a business or freelance work, you owe taxes on it. If it's a refund or a transfer from someone else, it's usually not taxable. Keep records of where the money came from in case you need to report it.
Can I set up automatic transfers from PayPal to my bank account?
PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers. You have to initiate each transfer manually through your Wallet. However, you can set up a transfer as soon as money arrives in your account, which takes only a few minutes. Some users do this weekly or monthly to move their PayPal balance to their bank on a regular schedule.