The four ways to fund your PayPal balance

You can add money to PayPal in four ways: transfer from a linked bank account, deposit a check using your phone, add funds at certain retail locations, or receive money from someone else. The fastest is a bank transfer, which usually takes one to two business days. The slowest is a mailed check, which takes five to ten business days. Which method works depends on what you have available right now and how soon you need the money in your account.

PayPal does not charge you to add money through any of these routes. The money sits in your PayPal balance until you spend it, send it, or move it back to your bank account. You do not have to add money to use PayPal — you can pay directly from your bank account or card — but having a balance there means your payment goes through when ready instead of waiting for a bank transfer to clear.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank transfers are free and take one to two business days, and you can set up a recurring transfer if you want to fund your account regularly.
  • Mobile check deposit lets you photograph a check and deposit it to PayPal without visiting a bank, though the check must be made out to you personally.
  • Retail deposit locations like MoneyGram and Walmart let you hand over cash and have it added to your PayPal account the same day.
  • You can also receive money from friends, family, or employers, which adds to your balance when ready if they send it as a transfer rather than a payment request.

Transferring money from your bank account

This is the most common method. Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to your Wallet, and select "Transfer Money." Choose "Add money to your balance" and pick the bank account you want to transfer from. If you have not linked a bank account yet, you will need to do that first — PayPal will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or in your online banking.

Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. The money will arrive in one to two business days. If you transfer on a Friday, it will not arrive until Monday or Tuesday. Weekends and bank holidays add time. You can transfer as much as you want in a single transfer, but PayPal may limit how much you can transfer in a day or month depending on your account history — if this is your first transfer, the limit is usually lower than if you have been using the account for years.

If you want to fund your account regularly, you can set up an automatic transfer. Go to Settings, then Automatic Transfers, and choose how much you want to move and how often. PayPal will pull that amount from your bank account on the schedule you set.

Depositing a check by phone

If someone has written you a check, you can photograph it instead of going to a bank. Open the PayPal app, tap your balance, and select "Deposit a check." Take a photo of the front and back of the check — make sure the entire check is visible and the image is clear. PayPal will show you what it read from the check and ask you to confirm the amount.

The check must be made out to you personally, and the name on the check must match the name on your PayPal account. If your name is different — for example, you got married and changed your last name — you will need to update your PayPal name first or the deposit will be rejected. The money usually arrives in one to three business days. You can deposit up to a certain amount per day and per month, which PayPal will show you when you start the deposit.

Once you have deposited a check, do not deposit it again at your bank. PayPal will clear it, and if you also deposit it elsewhere, the check will bounce and you may face fees from both PayPal and your bank.

Adding cash at a retail location

You can walk into certain stores and hand over cash to add to your PayPal balance. The main locations are MoneyGram, Walmart, and some CVS and Walgreens stores, though availability varies by location. Go to PayPal's website, search for "add cash," and enter your zip code to see which locations near you accept cash deposits.

When you arrive at the store, tell the cashier you want to add money to PayPal. They will ask for your phone number or email address — the one linked to your PayPal account — and the amount you want to deposit. You hand over the cash, they process it, and the money appears in your PayPal balance within minutes. There is no fee for this at most locations, though some MoneyGram locations may charge a small fee — ask before you hand over the cash.

This method is useful if you do not have a bank account or prefer to use cash, but it is slower than a bank transfer if you are trying to fund your account from home. You have to go to the store in person.

Receiving money from others

When someone sends you money through PayPal, it lands in your account automatically. The person sending can use their PayPal balance, their bank account, or their card. If they send it as a "transfer" (sometimes called "send money to friends and family"), it arrives when ready. If they send it as a "payment" (for goods or services), it may take a day or two to clear, depending on how they funded it.

You do not have to do anything to receive money — just make sure the person has your correct email address or phone number linked to your PayPal account. If you are expecting a payment from an employer or a service that uses PayPal, ask them for the exact email or phone number they will use, and confirm it matches what is in your PayPal settings.

What happens after money is in your account

Once the money arrives, it sits in your PayPal balance. You can spend it by sending it to someone else, paying for something online, or transferring it back to your bank account. If you transfer it back to your bank, that takes one to two business days, the same as adding it in the first place.

Your PayPal balance earns no interest, so if you are not planning to use it soon, you might leave it in your bank account instead. The only reason to keep money in PayPal is if you plan to send it to someone else or spend it quickly — otherwise it is just sitting there.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take money to show up after I transfer from my bank?

One to two business days is standard. Transfers made on weekends or holidays will not start processing until the next business day. If you transfer on Friday afternoon, expect the money Tuesday or Wednesday.

Can I add money if I do not have a bank account?

Yes. You can deposit cash at MoneyGram, Walmart, or certain CVS and Walgreens locations. You can also deposit checks by phone using the PayPal app. A bank account is not required.

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

Bank transfers have limits that depend on your account age and history — PayPal will show you your limit when you start a transfer. Cash deposits at retail locations also have daily and monthly limits. Check deposits have separate limits shown in the app.

What if I add money by mistake?

You can transfer it back to your bank account at any time. Go to your Wallet, select "Transfer Money," and choose "Transfer to your bank." It takes one to two business days, the same as adding money.

Do I have to add money to use PayPal?

No. You can pay directly from your linked bank account or card without having a balance. Adding money is optional and only speeds up payments because the money is already there.