The basic steps to fund your PayPal account
To add money from your bank account to PayPal, you link your bank account to your PayPal wallet, then initiate a transfer from PayPal's website or app. PayPal pulls the funds directly from your checking or savings account—you do not send money to PayPal; instead, you give PayPal permission to withdraw it.
The process takes three to five business days from the moment you request the transfer. PayPal does not charge a fee for bank transfers, though your own bank may charge you if your account agreement includes fees for external transfers (most do not).
You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both printed on the bottom left of your checks. If you do not have checks, you can find these numbers by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
Key Takeaways
- Link your bank account to PayPal by entering your routing number and account number, which PayPal will verify with two small test deposits.
- Once verified, you can transfer money from your bank to PayPal in three to five business days at no cost to you.
- The transfer happens on a schedule you choose—you can request it when ready or set it up to happen on a specific date.
- PayPal holds the money in your PayPal balance, where you can spend it with PayPal's partners, send it to other people, or transfer it back to your bank.
How to link your bank account to PayPal
Start by logging into your PayPal account on the website or opening the PayPal app. Go to your wallet (on the website, this is under "My Account" or "Wallet"; on the app, tap the wallet icon at the bottom). Look for "Link a bank account" or "Add a bank account."
PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number. Enter these carefully—a mistake in either number will cause the verification to fail. Once you submit, PayPal will send two small deposits to your bank account, usually within one to two business days.
When those deposits arrive, you will see them in your bank statement as small amounts (typically under one dollar each). Log back into PayPal, go to the bank account you just linked, and enter both deposit amounts. PayPal will then mark the account as verified, and you can begin transferring money.
The timing and mechanics of a bank transfer
Once your bank account is verified, you can request a transfer at any time. On the PayPal website, go to your wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer money to your bank" or "Add money." (The exact wording depends on whether you are moving money into or out of PayPal.) PayPal will ask how much you want to transfer and when you want it to happen.
You can choose "Transfer now" or pick a future date. If you choose "Transfer now," the money leaves your PayPal balance when ready, but it does not arrive at your bank for three to five business days. Weekends and bank holidays extend this timeline—a transfer requested on Friday afternoon may not arrive until Wednesday or Thursday.
Once the transfer is in motion, you cannot cancel it. If you need the money back urgently, you will have to wait for it to arrive at your bank, then transfer it back to PayPal, which adds another three to five days.
What happens to the money once it is in PayPal
When money lands in your PayPal balance, you can use it in several ways. You can spend it anywhere PayPal is accepted—online retailers, in-app purchases, and some physical stores that display the PayPal logo at checkout. You can also send it to another person using their email address or phone number, or request a refund to your original bank account.
The money sits in your PayPal balance until you move it. PayPal does not pay interest on balances, and the money does not expire. If you leave it there for months, it will still be there when you log back in.
If you want to move the money back to your bank, the process is identical to the one you used to move it in: go to your wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer to bank." Again, it takes three to five business days.
Limits on how much you can transfer
PayPal sets limits on how much you can transfer in a single transaction and how much you can transfer in a rolling 24-hour period. These limits vary based on your account history, how long you have had your account, and whether you have confirmed your identity with PayPal.
New accounts typically have lower limits—often $500 to $2,000 per transfer. Established accounts with verified identity information may have limits of $10,000 or more per transfer. PayPal does not publish exact limits publicly; instead, the system shows you your limit when you attempt a transfer.
If you hit your limit, you can wait 24 hours and try again, or you can contact PayPal to request a higher limit. PayPal may ask for additional identity verification before raising your limit.
Why a transfer might fail or be delayed
The most common reason a transfer fails is a mismatch between the routing number or account number you entered and what your bank has on file. If PayPal cannot verify the account during the test deposit phase, it will reject the link and ask you to try again.
If a transfer is delayed beyond five business days, it usually means your bank is processing it slowly or there is a discrepancy in the account information. Contact your bank first to confirm the transfer is in their system. If it is not, contact PayPal with your transfer confirmation number (PayPal provides this when you request a transfer) and ask them to investigate.
Occasionally, PayPal will flag a transfer as suspicious if the amount is unusually large compared to your account history or if the transfer pattern looks unusual. In these cases, PayPal may hold the transfer for review, which can add one to three business days. PayPal will notify you if this happens.
Alternatives if you cannot link your bank account
If your bank is not recognized by PayPal or if you do not have a bank account, you can fund PayPal using a debit card or credit card instead. The process is faster—the money appears in your PayPal balance when ready—but PayPal charges a fee of 2.99% of the amount you transfer (so transferring $100 costs $2.99).
You can also receive money from other PayPal users, which adds to your balance without any transfer from you. If someone sends you money through PayPal, it lands in your account when ready and you can spend it right away.
Some employers and government agencies (including certain unemployment and tax refund programs) allow you to deposit funds directly into a PayPal account instead of a traditional bank account. If this is an option for you, the money will appear in your PayPal balance without any action on your part.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it really take for money to show up in my PayPal account?
Three to five business days is the standard timeline from the moment you request the transfer. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a transfer requested on Friday may not arrive until the following Wednesday. Once the money arrives at PayPal's bank, it appears in your account when ready.
Can I transfer money from PayPal back to my bank account?
Yes. The process is the same as transferring in: go to your wallet, select your bank account, and choose "Transfer to bank." It takes three to five business days, and there is no fee. You can only transfer money back to the same bank account you linked—PayPal does not allow transfers to a different bank.
What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?
PayPal will send two test deposits to verify the account. If the numbers are wrong, the deposits will fail and PayPal will ask you to re-enter them. You can try again when ready. If you keep entering the wrong numbers, contact your bank to confirm your routing number and account number, then try once more.
Does PayPal charge a fee to transfer money from my bank?
PayPal does not charge a fee for bank transfers. Your own bank may charge you a fee if your account agreement includes fees for external transfers, but most banks do not. Check your bank's fee schedule or call them to confirm.
Can I set up automatic transfers from my bank to PayPal?
PayPal does not offer automatic recurring transfers from your bank account. You must request each transfer manually. However, you can set up a transfer to happen on a specific future date when you request it—for example, you can request a transfer today that will process on the 15th of next month.