The basic process: three steps
To move money from PayPal to your bank account, you link your bank account to PayPal, then use PayPal's transfer tool to send the money. PayPal holds the money for a few days while it processes, then deposits it into your checking or savings account. The whole thing takes between one and three business days from the moment you request the transfer.
You do not need to pay a fee for this transfer if you choose the standard speed option. PayPal offers a faster option that costs money, but most people use the free version and straightforward wait.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your bank account to PayPal first by providing your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
- Standard transfers are free and take one to three business days; faster transfers cost a small fee and arrive within one business day.
- PayPal holds your money briefly while processing, so the money leaves your PayPal account when ready but does not appear in your bank account right away.
- You can transfer any amount, but some banks may flag unusually large deposits, so contact your bank beforehand if you are moving a significant sum.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Before you can transfer money out, PayPal needs to know which bank account to send it to. Log into your PayPal account on a computer or the mobile app, then look for the settings or wallet section. The exact location varies slightly between the app and the website, but PayPal labels it clearly as "Link a Bank Account" or "Add Bank Account."
PayPal will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank. Your account number is the unique number for your checking or savings account. Both appear on 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 — most banks display both numbers there.
After you enter these numbers, PayPal may ask you to verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar each) into that account. Your bank will show these deposits within a few days. You then return to PayPal and enter the exact amounts to confirm you own the account. This verification step protects you by ensuring no one else can link your bank account without your permission.
Requesting the transfer itself
Once your bank account is linked and verified, transferring money is straightforward. In PayPal, find the "Transfer Money" or "Withdraw" option, usually in the wallet or money section. PayPal will show you the balance available to transfer and ask how much you want to send.
Enter the amount and select your linked bank account as the destination. PayPal will then ask whether you want the standard free transfer or the faster paid option. Standard transfers take one to three business days and cost nothing. The faster option, sometimes called "when ready transfer," arrives within one business day but charges a small percentage of the amount you are transferring — usually between 1 and 2 percent.
Review the details one more time, then confirm. PayPal will show you a confirmation number. The money leaves your PayPal account when ready, but it does not appear in your bank account right away because PayPal and your bank need time to process the transfer on their end.
Why the transfer takes time
Even though the money leaves PayPal when ready, your bank account does not receive it right away. This delay happens because PayPal and your bank operate on different systems that do not communicate in real time. PayPal batches transfers together and sends them to your bank in groups, usually overnight. Your bank then processes those batches during its own business hours.
Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you request a transfer on Friday afternoon, it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday because the weekend does not count. If you request it on a holiday, the clock does not start until the next business day.
What to do if the transfer does not arrive
Check your PayPal account first to confirm the transfer actually went through. Look for a confirmation number and a status that says "completed" or "processed." If PayPal shows the transfer as pending, wait — it is still on its way. If it shows completed but the money has not appeared in your bank account after three business days, contact your bank's customer service.
Tell your bank the date you requested the transfer and the amount. Your bank can look up whether PayPal sent the money and where it went. Sometimes transfers arrive in a holding account or under a slightly different name. Your bank can locate it and move it to your account if needed. Keep your PayPal confirmation number handy when you call — your bank may ask for it.
Transferring large amounts
PayPal does not limit how much you can transfer in a single request, but your bank might flag a very large deposit as unusual activity. Banks do this to prevent fraud and money laundering. A flag does not mean the money is rejected — it means your bank will review it before releasing it to you.
If you are moving a large sum, call your bank before you request the transfer and let them know it is coming. Tell them the amount and the date. Your bank can note this in your account, and the deposit will process more smoothly. What counts as "large" varies by bank and by your account history — if you normally receive small deposits, anything over a few thousand dollars might trigger a review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer to a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. When you link your bank account to PayPal, you can choose either checking or savings. Some people prefer savings because the money sits there without being spent. The transfer process is identical — PayPal does not care which type of account receives the money.
What if I link the wrong bank account by mistake?
You can unlink it and add the correct one. Go to your PayPal settings, find the linked accounts section, and remove the incorrect account. Then add the right one. If you already sent money to the wrong account, contact PayPal's customer service with your confirmation number — they may be able to reverse it, though this depends on how far the transfer has progressed.
Do I have to use the faster transfer option?
No. The standard free transfer is the default, and most people use it. The faster option exists for situations where you need the money urgently, but you pay a percentage fee for that speed. Unless you have a specific reason to need the money within one business day, the free option is the better choice.
Can someone else transfer my PayPal money to their bank account?
No. Only you can request transfers from your PayPal account. The person would need your login information to access PayPal, and even then, they can only transfer money to bank accounts already linked to your account. If you suspect someone has transferred your money without permission, contact PayPal when ready and change your password.
What happens if my bank account is closed after I link it?
If you close the account and then request a transfer, PayPal will attempt to send the money but your bank will reject it because the account no longer exists. PayPal will return the money to your PayPal balance. Before closing a bank account, unlink it from PayPal or update PayPal with your new account information.