Connect your bank account in three steps
PayPal lets you link a checking or savings account so money can move between your bank and PayPal without using a debit card. The process takes about five minutes and requires your bank's routing number and your account number — both printed on the bottom left of your checks, or available in your bank's app or website.
Start by logging into PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. Go to Wallet (or Account Settings on older versions), then select Link a Bank Account. PayPal will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), and those two numbers. After you enter them, PayPal sends two small deposits — usually $0.01 and $0.02 — to your bank account within one to two business days.
Once those deposits arrive, you return to PayPal and confirm the amounts. This step proves you own the account. After confirmation, your bank account is fully linked and you can send money to it or receive money into it through PayPal.
Key Takeaways
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on the bottom of your checks or in your bank's app.
- PayPal sends two tiny test deposits to your bank account to confirm you own it — this takes one to two business days.
- You must confirm those deposit amounts in PayPal before the link is complete and usable.
- Once linked, you can move money between your bank and PayPal without paying a fee, though transfers take one to three business days.
- You can link multiple bank accounts to one PayPal account if you have accounts at different banks.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
The easiest place to find both numbers is the bottom left corner of any check you have. The first set of nine digits is your routing number (it identifies your bank). The second set, usually longer, is your account number.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card — and ask them to read you the routing number and account number for the account you want to link.
Do not use a savings account number if you meant to link a checking account, or vice versa. PayPal will reject the link if the account type does not match what you entered.
What happens during the verification step
After you enter your bank details, PayPal deposits two small amounts into your account — typically $0.01 and $0.02, though the exact amounts vary. These are real deposits; the money is yours to keep. They arrive within one to two business days, depending on your bank's processing speed.
Check your bank account (online or on your statement) for these deposits. Write down both amounts. Then return to PayPal, go back to your bank account settings, and select the option to confirm the deposits. Enter the two amounts you saw, and PayPal will verify that you have access to the account.
If the deposits do not arrive after three business days, contact your bank to ask if there is a delay. If your bank rejected them, PayPal will show an error message. In that case, you may need to try again or contact PayPal support to troubleshoot — sometimes the routing number was entered incorrectly, or the account type was wrong.
Moving money between your bank and PayPal
Once your bank account is linked and verified, you can transfer money in either direction. To move money from your bank to PayPal, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer Money. Enter the amount and confirm. The money usually arrives in your PayPal balance within one to three business days.
To move money from PayPal to your bank, go to your Wallet, select your bank account, and choose Transfer to Your Bank. Again, enter the amount and confirm. This also takes one to three business days, though some banks are faster than others.
There is no fee to transfer between your bank and PayPal. However, if you use a debit card or credit card instead of a linked bank account, PayPal may charge a fee for certain transactions. Linking your bank account is the cheapest way to move money.
Why you might want to link a bank account instead of using a card
A linked bank account costs nothing to use, while debit and credit cards sometimes trigger fees. If you send money to friends or family through PayPal, using a linked bank account means no fee is taken out. If you receive money from someone else, it lands in your PayPal balance for free, and you can then transfer it to your bank at no cost.
A linked bank account also gives you more control. You can transfer money out whenever you want, rather than waiting for a payment to arrive on a card. And if your debit card is lost or stolen, your bank account itself stays find — you only need to update the card information in PayPal.
Some people keep a linked bank account as a backup. If your primary payment method fails during a transaction, PayPal can fall back to your bank account instead of declining the payment.
Unlinking or removing a bank account
If you want to stop using a linked bank account, go to your Wallet or Account Settings, find the bank account in your list, and select Remove or Unlink. The account is removed when ready, and no future transfers can use it.
Removing a bank account does not affect money already in your PayPal balance or any transfers already in progress. Those complete on their own schedule. You can re-link the same bank account later if you change your mind — PayPal will not make you verify it again with the test deposits.
If you are switching banks, you can link your new bank account while the old one is still linked, then remove the old one once you confirm the new one works.
Troubleshooting common problems
If PayPal rejects your bank account information, the most common reason is a typo in the routing number or account number. Double-check both numbers against your checks or your bank's website. Routing numbers are always nine digits; if yours is longer or shorter, it is wrong.
If the test deposits do not arrive after three business days, your bank may have rejected them. This sometimes happens if the account is very new, if it is a joint account with restrictions, or if the bank flagged the deposits as suspicious. Contact your bank to ask if they blocked the deposits, and ask them to allow PayPal transfers. Then try linking again.
If you see an error message saying the account type does not match, you entered "checking" when the account is actually savings, or vice versa. Go back and select the correct type.
If you linked the account successfully but transfers are failing, make sure your bank account has enough money (for transfers out of your bank) or enough PayPal balance (for transfers into your bank). Some banks also block transfers to or from PayPal if they think the activity is suspicious — call your bank to ask if they have flagged PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
Yes. When you enter your bank details, select Savings instead of Checking if that is the account type you want to link. The process is identical. Make sure you select the correct type, or PayPal will reject the link.
How long does it take for money to move between my bank and PayPal?
Transfers usually take one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays add time. If a transfer does not arrive within five business days, contact PayPal or your bank to ask if there is a delay.
Can I link more than one bank account to PayPal?
Yes. You can link accounts from different banks, or even multiple accounts from the same bank. Each one goes through the same verification process with the two test deposits. You can choose which account to use each time you transfer money.
What if I do not have checks — how do I find my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or account information. You can also call your bank's customer service number (on the back of your debit card) and ask them to read you the routing number and account number.
Is it safe to give PayPal my bank account number?
PayPal is a large, regulated company that handles millions of bank account links. Giving PayPal your routing number and account number is as safe as giving them to any other service. Your bank account itself is protected by your bank's security, and PayPal cannot withdraw money without your permission.